Snug Harbor Stories (Wallace the Brave #2)

Gr 2-5—Charismatic, curious Wallace is always pulling his friends along on adventures, from convincing them to see how close they can get to a skunk without getting sprayed to leading them in search of Sasquatch. This second collection of Henry's syndicated comic strips (after the Eisner Award-nominated Wallace the Brave) captures the endless possibilities of childhood. The humor is perfect for middle graders, but older comics fans will love it, too—sophisticated pop culture references ("We're gonna need a bigger net") will have parents and teachers chuckling along. The expressive illustrations, reminiscent of classic comic strips, bring the characters to life, from Spud's fearful reaction when Wallace announces they are hunting for a giant snapping turtle, to Amelia's anger when a neighbor hands out raisins instead of candy on Halloween. VERDICT Henry cites Calvin and Hobbes as an influence, and the similarities are clear. Though lovable, self-assured Wallace is a worthy successor to Calvin, he's a strong hero in his own right, and Wallace the Brave is bound to be a future classic.—Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN