Zack and the Turkey Attack!

Gr 2-5--A boy tries to create a machine that will prevent exactly what the title says in this quick read. Zack and his dad spend weekends helping his grandparents on their farm. While Zack enjoys these visits, one thing mars his otherwise pleasant experience: the farm's resident turkey, Tailpipe, who likes to run at Zack and peck his legs. Zack decides he needs to create a portable machine to scare the beast into leaving him alone. He's assisted by a neighbor, Josie, who also fancies herself a sleuth and is concerned with a rash of recent petty thefts on the farms, and his best friend Matthew. Together they plot, experiment, and, using random items found in grandpa's machine shed, create a Rube Goldberg--esque contraption meant to startle Tailpipe away. Zack makes it clear that he simply wants to frighten the bird; he and Michael do talk about the difference between frightening it and killing it. They also become unwittingly embroiled in the farm theft mystery, but all is explained and happily resolved by the last page. Naylor's story is highly plot-driven, with only quick strokes of character development. VERDICT A light and humorous story ideal for readers looking for a fast, easy read.--Mary Kuehner, Arapahoe Library District, CO

Zack likes visiting his grandparents' farm with his father, pitching in with chores and enjoying Grandma's delectable meals. What he doesn't like is the giant turkey that chases him around the farm, feverishly pecking at his legs. Exasperated, Zack attempts to map out walking routes across the farm so as to avoid the turkey, which he's nicknamed Tailpipe "because he was always right behind you and made as much noise as a tailpipe without a muffler." When that tactic fails, he decides to build a "turkey-blaster trouble-shooter" to scare the creature "right out of his feathers." With the help of friends Matthew and Josie, Zack constructs a noise-making contraption using old items stored in the barn. Though that laborious process slows the story's stride, a mystery involving missing jewelry and a suspected burglar help keep things moving. At its heart, this is a homespun novel underscoring the importance of family and friends, themes that will be familiar to Naylor's many fans, and that are reinforced by To's atmospheric b&w illustrations of farm hijinks. Ages 7-11. Illustrator's agency: Shannon Associates. (Oct.)