Gr 4–7—Spencer Lemon (pronounced le-MONE, "
not like the sour yellow fruit") is rapidly losing his eyesight to a degenerative disease, loves running track, and is unhappy that his mother makes him visit a nursing home twice weekly. Ed, his friend at the home, tells him that he is the next guardian of the magical
Pandora's Book, which contains pictures of famous people and can bring them temporarily back to life. Ed disappears before he can fully teach Spencer how to use the book, leaving the sixth grader and his friend Gregor, who has autism, to protect the book from its enemies and figure out how to use it on their own. Ed's granddaughter, Mel, helps the boys, but when she is injured and Gregor's dog is kidnapped, it's up to Spencer, Gregor, and some historical helpers to save the day. Fry has created a memorable group of contemporary and historical characters to give life to this fast-paced adventure. Spencer and Gregor's conditions aren't allowed to define them, and Gregor's behavior adds to his motivation and interest. Even reluctant readers may be drawn in by the opening scene in which Ed introduces Spencer to Pandora's Book by letting him take batting practice with Babe Ruth. Fans of Dan Gutman's "Genius Files" series (HarperCollins) may enjoy the mix of danger and historical facts in this appealing story.—
Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WISixth grader Spencer is entrusted with Pandora's Book, which has the ability to bring noble historical figures back to life. Ultimately, he must use the Book to stop an adversary who possesses its evil counterpart. Although the re-animated heroes aren't fully realized--making superficial cameos rather than contributing to moving the plot forward--the premise is intriguing and the atypical protagonists with disabilities are refreshing.
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