Hippomobile!

Gr 4–6—Twins Jimmy and Stella spend their summers in the town of Wymore with their 47 grandmothers and grandfathers, none of whom are really members of their family. The siblings' real grandparents decided the heat was too much and moved somewhere colder. Wymore used to be a bustling community, but that was long ago and now the citizens share the 25 rooms of the local hotel and get their meals at Mabel's Café. Unfortunately, Mabel finds herself in financial straits and must close the diner, and if it closes, so will the town. The kids decide to put their heads together and rebuild the Hippomobile, an invention created originally by one of Wymore's more mysterious former residents. The town's hopes hinge on the ingenuity and hard work of the twins and their extended family. Tapia's first book for younger readers creates a tapestry rich with characters whose language is as unique as the townspeople themselves. Though the colloquialisms can distract and may, at times, be difficult to interpret, the ever-present footnotes ensure that most readers will understand exactly what is taking place. All in all, this is a story that children will find delightfully engaging.—Wayne R. Cherry, Jr., First Baptist Academy Library, Houston, TX