Morgantown seems like any other small town, except for the strange thick hedge that borders the whole length of the town. No one ever goes past the hedge. No one ever goes into the woods. That's just the way it's always been, so Penny and Luke don't think much about it. But it turns out the hedge is more than it seems. It's the barrier between the natural world and the magical world—and it's growing weak. The barrier is upheld by three keyholders—and one of them turns out to be Penny and Luke's neighbor, Mr. Leery. It turns out he needs help; will Penny and Luke be up to the job of apprentice keyholders?

Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones certainly have plenty of experience building series books that captivate young readers, since they're the authors of the Bailey School Kids series and Ghostville Elementary. Like their preceding series, this is bright, fast-paced storytelling with plenty of comic moments and surprises. The magical villains are gross, but not too scary, and the kids' real-world nemesis, the annoying Natalie, is definitely a girl readers will love to hate. I also enjoyed Adam Stower's sketches throughout the book, as they add a great comic touch, especially to the goblin boy. For readers who've loved the Bailey School Kids, they're sure to find a new favorite in this one.