Quest for the Spark

Gr 3–6—This book continues the adventures of 12-year-old Tom Elm, his raccoon pal, a former Veni Yan priest, three Bone explorers, and two smelly rat creatures as they attempt to save the world from the wicked dragon, the Nacht. The "Bone" books have a serious fan base, so this in-progress trilogy is bound to attract attention. Unfortunately, it falls short of expectations. While the Nacht, presented as a source of wickedness itself with the power to seep into and claim the minds of innocents, is legitimately creepy, the adventures feel haphazard and unplanned, characters remain largely undeveloped, and the humor feels a bit forced. However, the draw to the world created in the series is strong, and there are plenty of Smith's full-page illustrations to reinforce that connection. For real fans, this book is a solid pick, but the titles should be read in sequence-events in this one won't make sense without reading the first. Libraries without "Bone" fans can skip it.—Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City