Emily's Fortune
Starred Review. Grade 3–6—When timid, eight-year-old Emily Wiggins is suddenly orphaned, her neighbors—Mrs. Ready, Mrs. Aim, and Mrs. Fire—are about to put her on the next train to live with kindly Aunt Hilda, her father's sister-in-law. Then Miss Catchum of the Catchum Child-Catching Services shows up, intent on collecting a "super-duper-dinger-zinger" bonus for depositing Emily with her closest next of kin, reprehensible Uncle Victor, who is fixated on finding Emily. With just her pet turtle for company, Emily embarks on an adventure through the Wild West, complete with dastardly villains and gold-digging distant relatives. She soon meets fellow orphan Jackson, and she has to decide whether or not to trust him to help her escape from (hot on the trail) Miss Catchum and Uncle Victor. The story is a real humdinger of a page-turner and will keep reluctant readers engrossed, eager to see if Emily arrives at Aunt Hilda's safely. And what will become of poor Jackson, who has yet to find a loving home? The local vernacular is lively and fun and the characters are well developed. Cliff-hangers between chapters are written in large boldface to keep readers hooked. "But how in the ding-dong dickens could she really trust him?" Simple, black-and-white illustrations complement the unfolding story. A rip-roaring good time that will be devoured by both boys and girls.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.