The Ire of Iron Claw

March 1, 2015

Gr 2-5-A steampunk adventure series for younger middle grade readers. In this second installment, the band of evil magicians called the Mesmers are still working on a plan for world domination. The Kennewicketts family, including boy genius Will Wally and his dachshund, Noodles, travel via air ship to Europe in order to stop the dastardly Mesmers and their minions. Black-and-white illustrations throughout combined with short chapters and an energetic pace make this series ideal for chapter book readers looking for a challenge or middle graders who want something short and fun.

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
Grades 2-4 When last seen, Wally and his loyal dachshund, Noodles, chased off evil magician Madini and his hypnotic pigeon, Iron Claw. But all is not well. A mole has infiltrated the Amazing Automated Inn, stealing research and sabotaging the experiments of the Kennewicketts and visiting inventor Nikola Tesla. Following clues, the family travels to Italy to save Wally's uncle and aunt from the Mesmers. Though the action in book two feels a bit disjointed, and Noodles' sometimes verbose prose makes for an occasionally ponderous read, middle-grade readers who appreciate that narrative style will be pleased. For larger collections where the series has a solid following.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

April 15, 2015
In series opener The Mesmer Menace (2014), the Kennewickett clan foiled the world-conquering plans of the evil pigeon Iron Claw and mesmerizing magician Madini, but recent acts of sabotage at the Automated Inn suggest the dastardly duo have returned to commit more mayhem. At risk are Nikola Tesla, who plans to use alternating current to free automatons from spending their nights in charging closets, and young Wally, who's making progress toward achieving manned flight (by kite, but still). Offering their skills and component parts to end the sabotage permanently are the automatons, led by Gizmo, who shares recipes (and feelings of more than ordinary friendship) with Mr. Jones, the train engineer. This sequel grants the automatons, especially the singing Dust Bunnies, more page time, which they must share with a plethora of human characters and fairly detailed accounts of electrical current discoveries. Narrating the proceedings, Noodles, Wally's dachshund, interrupts the storytelling with canine asides and offers dictionary definitions of words like "pseudo-cephalothorax" and "inveigle." Expressive and vigorous, the art brings the characters to life (the evildoers with handlebar mustaches are a treat). Although much of the story never leaves the inn, the complicated plot and setup require close attention. The swift pace, quirky humor, and general steampunkery should hold the interest of readers-especially the mechanically and electronically inclined. (Steampunk. 9-12)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.