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Attack of the Volcano Monkeys
Ordinary Basil series #2

by Wiley Miller
Illustrated by Wiley Miller



      The second in the Ordinary Basil series, Attack of the Volcano Monkeys brings back Basil Pepperell, a character Miller created in his Non Sequitur comic strip. Basil is twelve, though his over-sized head and diminutive size make him seem a bit more like eight. The story begins with Basil's mother fretting, as Basil's been missing for some time. For an ordinary boy, Basil does tend to run off on adventures regularly with his friend, Louise, and her pet pteranodon, Beatrice. The adventure this time jumps around with blinding speed from the lighthouse to a submarine to Monkey Island, with a flashback trip on Beatrice - tall towers, thick jungles, evil laboratories, temples, cages, whew...well, it's a bit exhausting to imagine all the bouncing around. The story is packed with flashbacks and stories told by characters - making it a bit challenging to follow the chronology. But, since the plot itself is fairly simple despite the bouncing, it's unlikely to confuse young readers for long. Thrills abound with monkey revolutions, giant attack owls, and Miller's beloved dastardly evil genius, Dr. Von Rottweil. The engaging full-color illustrations go a long way toward making this book successful as they keep young readers turning pages to see the next outlandish contraption or character Miller has created for them. The short, simple plot, plentiful illustrations and fast pace make these books especially appealing to reluctant readers. So, if your young reader likes his adventures with a side order of weird, this book should be the perfect dish.

The Book

The Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic
February 2008
Hardcover
0439861322 / 978-0439861328
Illustrated Chapter Book / Children’s, Ages 9 - 12
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Jan Fields
Reviewed 2008
NOTE: Reviewer Jan Fields is the editor of Kid Magazine Writers emagazine and has written dozens of stories and articles for the children's magazine market.
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