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The Case of the Gasping Garbage and Abby Cadabra, Super Speller
By Nicole Jones
Abby Cadabra, Super Speller. Illustration by Joan Holub. |
Joan Holub (also the illustrator), Grosset & Dunlap, 2000, ages 7-10, (****)
Abby Cadabra is the best speller at Witch School, until Wanda Cassandra joins the class. Wanda was the best speller in her last school and threatens to beat Abby in the spelling bee, which isn't the typical spelling bee. Not only does the word need to be spelled correctly, but the rule applied to the spelling needs to be explained AND the word has to be used in a magical spell. After a confrontation, both girls promise to spell honestly, without the aid of any magic. At the end of the bee, both girls misspell broomstick; Abby spells the first half correctly, Wanda the second half. Instead of trying to spell another word as a tie-breaker, the girls work together to spell the word correctly.
Holub easily incorporates some of the complicated rules for spelling in this charming story. Besides the explanation of English spelling rules, like the "i" before "e" rhyme, readers benefit from the lessons of conflict resolution, cooperation, and sharing. Holub points out that friendly competition is okay, as long as everyone plays fairly, but teamwork might be the best way to solve a problem. For the young readers who are frustrated that many of the books about witches and magic are still too difficult to read, this book is an enjoyable way for them to participate in the current craze.
The Case of the Gasping Garbage
Michele Torrey, illustrated by Barbara Johansen Newman, Dutton Children's Books, 2001, ages 9-12, 71 pages (*****)
Fifth grade students, Doyle and Fossey, are serious scientists: They have the business cards to prove it. Classmates and neighbors call on the duo to solve mysteries like a "monster" in a garbage can and how to retract a truck that is stuck under a bridge. When they are not helping people, they constantly conduct science experiments and seek out ecological dilemmas to solve, such as how to build a safe passage across a busy road to a pond for frogs looking to lay their eggs.
This book, one in a series, presents four mysteries that Doyle and Fossey solve using basic scientific principles. Their parents are encouraging and non-patronizing. Both have parents that are scientists, but the parents do not attempt to solve the problems for them; instead, like in the case of the truck trapped beneath the bridge, Fossey's mom provides essential advice that allows Fossey to conclude what the best solution is on her own.
Torrey successfully creates a female character whose strength is science; young girls will find a positive, believable model. Readers will laugh at the generous amount of humor. Also, the last half of the book provides "activities and experiments for super-scientists" including how to set up a lab, the famous bread recipe that is the culprit in the first mystery, and how to test ink to find a match should the reader ever receive an anonymous love letter. This is an excellent book for those already interested in science; and it may change the mind of those who may not think that they are.
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