Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull

Gr 2–4—Charlie Bumpers is looking forward to a fun Halloween night hanging out with his friends, getting lots of candy, and having a sleepover. There are a few catches, though: he doesn't have a costume, and his sister wants to trick or treat with him. Worst of all, the slumber party will feature a scary movie, which he hates but doesn't want to admit to his friends. Charlie has a lot to figure out, and Halloween is just around the corner. Students will relate to the boy's various plights as he navigates the challenges of fourth grade and deals with his siblings, although some may find his slang silly. Harley narrates and does a nice job of balancing the different voices and switching from children to adults. The audiobook is followed by a brief interview with the author and a recording of the Charlie Bumpers song. Fans of the series will enjoy this third installment (after Charlie Bumpers vs. the Really Nice Gnome), and those new to Charlie will have no trouble following along.—Elizabeth Elsbree, Krug Elementary School, Aurora, IL