Gr 4-6 Tuesday McGillycuddy's mom is the world-famous writer Serendipity Smith. If Serendipity is not off promoting herself on TV and radio, then she is holed away in her room working on her children's novels. Tuesday can't wait until her mom completes "Vivienne Small and the Final Battle" so they can spend more time together. Then Serendipity mysteriously disappears. Tuesday soon finds the words "The End" spelled out in shimmering, silver letters floating in the air above the keyboard and believes it's a clue to her mom's whereabouts. Typing her own story produces similar silvery words that entwine and carry her and her faithful dog Baxterr to a land where all books are created. Tuesday is convinced she will find her mom here. Though warned against doing so by a kindly librarian in this magical realm, Tuesday enters the world of her mother's book and soon embarks on exciting adventures with Vivienne Small. Threatened by bloodthirsty pirates and menacing Captain Mothwood, Vivienne and Baxterr are in extreme danger and Tuesday's creative writing skills must save them from this dire predicament. The spunky and likable characters are portrayed in line drawings throughout the book. Though it is occasionally hard to distinguish whether Vivienne's current world has been created by Serendipity or Tuesday, it does not diminish the enjoyment of this imaginative tale. Bank's story is magically whimsical and filled with adventurous twists that will keep readers turning the pages. Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA

Starred Review Young Tuesday McGillycuddy has a secret: her mother, Serendipity Smith, is the famous author of the Vivian Small adventure series. And now Serendipity has disappeared e has somehow been swept out of their town house into Vivian Small's stories. The desperate Tuesday manages to create a way to follow her mother, and accompanied by her dog, she too enters the world of story. Before long, she meets Vivian Small and joins her in her battle with the dreadful pirate Carsten Mothwood, all the while hoping to find a way to reclaim her mom. This enchanting story (which may remind readers of the fully imagined worlds created by Edith Nesbit) celebrates the imagination and the connection writers feel with their stories. Spunky characters; spot-on pacing, providing perfectly timed plot revelations; and fully imagined worlds make this a charming winner for curling up with a good book or classroom read-alouds. Even those struggling a bit with reading will be tempted to up their game with this one.