POND SCUM
by Alan Silberberg
Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: 0786856343
Ages 8-12
304 pages

Oliver is a lonely kid. He is unpopular in school, he has no friends, and to top it off, his parents are divorcing and he is forced to move to a new town with his mom and sister. Oliver finds a bit of comfort spending hours sitting in front of the TV, and his hurting heart sparks a tiny bit of pleasure in pulling the wings off of flies. He has no clue of what he is about to stumble into.

Desperate with the lack of channels in their new home in the country, Oliver decides to climb up on the roof to install an antenna. While up there, he is suddenly bombarded by an attack from a crow! What makes it even weirder is that this is the second such mysterious attack from wildlife his family has received since moving into their home. But not stopping to think about this, Oliver tries to escape, only to fall through a weak spot in the roof. Amidst the pile of shingles and other roof parts now in the attic, Oliver discovers a beautiful crystal that he decides to keep for good luck. In no time, he accidentally discovers the magic of the crystal --- which turns him into any creature he wants!

Oliver is soon exploring the nearby pond and forests, not as a kid, but as a bird and a fish and a spider and a rabbit! He is even making a couple of very good friends, like Mooch, the salamander, and Antoine, the crow. Oliver is also learning lots about his animal friends, coming to respect them and their way of life --- no more pulling the wings off of flies! But he also stumbles into a sinister plot to take over the forest and to chase him and his human family out of their home for good. Can Oliver and his new friends save both of their worlds?

Alan Silberberg is no novice when it comes to writing, and this is evident in the talent he pours out onto each page. Lots of puns, funny jokes and exciting adventures make this a fast and fun read. As a bonus, each new chapter greets the reader with a beautiful sketch of an animal. Not only will this story bring many smiles to any reader --- boy or girl, young or old --- it will also help create a respect for the animal world by inviting all to step into their shoes for a little while.

   --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author

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