Fudge-A-Mania

There's no doubt about it--Fudge Hatcher is a sweet little guy, and fans of Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Superfudge will cheer his return. Here the five-year-old extrovert continues to annoy his older brother, narrator Peter, whose gruff demeanor hides a very big heart. Blume's latest fast-pitched, funny novel further develops the relationship between these two endearing brothers as the Hatchers and their New York City neighbors, the Tubmans, share a house in Maine for a three-week vacation. Sheila Tubman, Peter's nemesis in Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great , returns in fine form, appearing for breakfast each morning in her fuzzy pink robe and bunny slippers--just one of Sheila's many habits driving Peter crazy and inspiring numerous diverting scenes. In fact, the colorful antics of all members of the two families--as well as a handful of the locals they meet--make reading these pages a treat. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)