The Dragonsitter (Dragonsitter #1)

Gr 2-4--Edward Smith-Pickle, "Eddie," finds himself in a pickle as he is taking care of his uncle's dragon while he is away. Unfortunately, his uncle didn't leave any instructions, and the dragon isn't exactly on his best behavior as he devours endless amounts of food, tears up the house, terrorizes the neighborhood pets, and sets the curtains and the mailman on fire. Eddie emails his uncle asking for help but doesn't get any replies. His mom is at her wit's end, and Eddie wonders what to do next. Finally, he gets some advice from his uncle, which turns things around. Told entirely through emails, this story provides plenty of funny moments, as Eddie manages to sound both upbeat and worried at the same time. This is the first of a planned four-book series, and its humorous tone and illustrations will appeal to young readers. VERDICT A solid purchase for collections in need of short chapter books.--Laura Fields Eason, Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School, Bowling Green, KY

Originally published in the U.K., this entertaining series opener from Lacey (Island of Thieves) takes place over a chaotic week in which Edward Smith-Pickle and his family look after a dragon belonging to his Uncle Morton. The story unfolds almost entirely through Edward's increasingly harried emails to his uncle: "Dear Uncle Morton, What's a tether? I don't know and Mom won't tell me, but she's at the end of hers." The emails go unanswered, leading Edward to worry about Uncle Morton's safety. Parsons's b&w cartoons, cleverly framed as photos attached to Edward's emails, reveal a house in ruin, with curtains aflame, a gaping hole in the fridge, and neighborhood cats fleeing in terror. The discovery that dragons love chocolate helps set things right, paving the way for future destructive adventures. Ages 6-10. (Sept.)