About the Author

Avi is the award-winning author of more than eighty-two books for young readers, ranging from animal fantasy to gripping historical fiction, picture books to young adult novels. Crispin: The Cross of Lead won the Newbery Medal, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing but the Truth were awarded Newbery Honors. He is also the author of the popular Poppy series. Avi lives in Denver, Colorado. Visit him online at avi-writer.com.

Brian Floca, in addition to being the illustrator of the books in Avi's Poppy Stories series, is the author and illustrator of the acclaimed picture books Locomotive, winner of the Caldecott Medal; Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11; Lightship; The Racecar Alphabet; and Five Trucks. You can visit him online at www.brianfloca.com.

Reviews

Gr 3-6-Poppy is back in Avi's fifth book (HarperCollins, 2005) in the popular The Poppy Series. Now middle-aged, Poppy and Rye are dealing with a rebellions teenaged son. Summoned home to Gray House, Poppy decides the journey might be a bonding experience, so she invites Junior along. His skunk friend, Mephitis, comes with them and, though uninvited, Ereth the porcupine tags along as well. The visit is enlightening. Junior is surprised to hear of his mother's adventurous past, and Poppy's current independence is challenged by the needs of her extended family. The family problems Poppy is asked to solve are too large for one deer mouse. Still, an accident resolves everything, perhaps a little too easily, and all ends well. Narrator John McDonough brings the characters to life, showing obvious enjoyment in the dialogue, especially Ereth's expressions. He makes this an auditory treat by letting the author's words, rather than excessive theatrics, carry the story. Although the plot is rather adult, younger listeners will be caught up in Junior's delightful rebelliousness and Ereth's colorful language, and fans of the previous books will probably find this an acceptable addition to the series.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.