Planet X Book

GR 1-3 In this second installment from Hale, twins Stephanie and Zeke and their pal Hector are tasked with helping out their friends in Underwhere, an alternate world that they reach through a construction area in their town. Stephanie and Zeke are apparent heirs to the throne of Underwhere, which is why they must help maintain the peace. Simultaneously the trio are trying to locate and protect the "Brush of Wiisdom" a golden toilet brush that reveals truth when rubbed three times on a person or object. A third thread of action is Stephanie's conflict between her duties as Princess of Underwhere and her desire to be a member of her school's Mathletes. Every third chapter of the book is a series of illustrated frames that attempt to move the story forward in the increasinly popular graphic format. However, this attempt falls short. The illustrations don't bring enough detail to enhance the story, some frames are even confusing, as when Stephanie's plan to capture the Port of Heinie is carried out. There are several events occuring simultaneously, which creates a hectic atmosphere and inconsistent flow of action. The writing is a simple controlled vocabulary, but the over-use of nonsensical name-calling between the three "heroes" and other characters doesn't add up to true humor. Readers aren't provided to much background on how Stephanie and Zeke were bestowed their positions as Princess and Prince of Underwhere, one assumes that it may have been provided in the first volume. Other characters are not well very developed, and seem to exisit merely for dialog that inches the story forward. Better choices for books of this type would be Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants, Jon Sczieska's Time Warp Trio or Megan McDonald's Stink series. Not a recommended purchase. Bethany A. Lafferty - Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.