In Jennings's (My Life of Crime
) loony, often clever novel, the unpopular assistant principal of Mt. Mole goes missing—and the eccentric townspeople seem unconcerned with solving the case. Andy (who's so close to 13 that he "may as well go ahead and claim it") decides to pursue it himself. As in the comic books Andy loves, the author creates "improbable plots, exaggerated situations, unlikely coincidences, and an ensemble of wisecracking characters" as Andy starts unraveling the mystery, from making a list of suspects to making note of some unusual occurrences (the mountain itself looks different, and wealthy Mr. Knott's properties are suddenly for sale). Zaniness abounds—Mr. Knott's businesses range from the Knott Hungry restaurant to the Knott Secure Savings and Loan, for example—and a cast of kooky characters, such as Chief Eagle Talon, the head of the volunteer police who solves crimes using "psychic powers." But there is some genuine emotion, too. Andy's house was among those destroyed by a devastating tornado and, even though his would-be girlfriend Georgia derides Mt. Mole (calling the prairie town a "stupid, sad sack burg" and its unlikely mountain an "ugly pimple"), Andy feels a certain loyalty to his hometown and thinks of its citizens as family. Overall, readers will find plenty to laugh about as they travel around town with Andy on Pegasus, his battery-powered scooter—and be impressed with this novel's disarming wrap-up. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)
