The Secret of Foghorn Island (Step into Reading)
Grade 1-3 Otto and Uncle Tooth are off to solve another crime. This time there have been four deliberate shipwrecks in a month, and the dragon detectives are determined to unravel the mystery. They set sail to look for clues, accompanied by Auntie Hick (``Someone has to cook hot meals for Otto'') and a stranger taking a barrel of cheese to his grandmother. The stranger, who is really Sid Rat in disguise, hijacks their boat. But Otto and Uncle Tooth are resourceful and manage to follow Sid Rat to his hideout, where they retrieve the stolen items. However Sid Rat and his cohorts escape, no doubt to provide further adventures for Otto and Uncle Tooth. Hayes has created an adventure with enough twists and turns to keep children interested in the tale. His illustrations are humorous, although they are a bit pale at times. This book is sure to please children who are looking for a more demanding easy reader. Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Oreg.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.