Cold Cereal

Gr 4–8—When Scott sees a guy with a rabbit's head on the way to school, he figures it's just another one of the odd hallucinations he occasionally experiences. It turns out that it's the first of many bizarre events that include a snarky leprechaun, a Bigfoot butler, and a plot to take over the world with breakfast cereal, among other oddities. The story is filled with wildly imaginative elements and clever wisecracks, but the humor is couched within a rich, complex plot that's filled with engaging characters and concepts. The narrative shifts easily between the present-day perils of Scott and his companions and the hefty backstory about the cereal company and the world of magical Fay creatures. The full scope of the multilayered plot unfolds with small and large surprises, incorporating alternate worlds, time travel, and Arthurian legend, along with the cereal cartoons and other silliness. There's humor peppered throughout, even in the action scenes, as when the leprechaun gripes about the 20 quid that Kris Kringle owes him in the midst of a daring rescue. This first book in a trilogy ends with a satisfying triumph for Scott and friends, but plenty of dangers lie ahead if they hope to save both the Fay world and their own. Readers who enjoy fantasies that are equal parts hilarious and exciting will eagerly await the next two in the series.—Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR