Starred Review ALA Booklist (Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

Starred Review For the hamster known as George Washington (GW, for short), there is no greater prison than the second grade classroom. For three months, GW has been plotting and scheming, waiting patiently for things to fall into place so he can finally break free from the joint. It takes some effort to convince fellow prisoners Barry and Biter to join him ey actually seem to like it there t a well-laid guilt trip does the trick. On the brink of freedom, the three rodents run up against the biggest obstacle of all, Harriet the mouse. She and her minions have a taste for destruction, but will GW have a change of heart and stop Harriet's mad plan to ruin the school? Told with a wickedly sharp sense of humor, Jamieson's latest delivers a madcap adventure that is sure to please young readers. The hilariously expressive rodents guarantee laughs from page one with plenty of slapstick humor and pointed one-liners. Jamieson makes excellent use of a variety of panel sizes to maximize the action, and the liberal use of bright color adds extra visual punch.

Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Feisty class hamster GW completes his Hairy Houdini Escape-O-Matic invention and races to release bunny Barry and guinea pig Biter--but his friends aren't eager to abandon their comfy lives as class pets. Jailbreaks, a food fight, and other hijinks ensue in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel. Pen-and-ink panels in a bright palette have a tidy feel, in neat contrast to the mischief and mayhem.

School Library Journal (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

Gr 1-3 George Washington, or "GW" for short, may look like a sweet, innocent classroom hamster, but little do the second graders at Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary School know that he's the inventor of the Sunflower Seed Slingshot and the Rodent Catapult Transportation Device, both of which are going to help him and his fellow inmatesBarry the rabbit (serving time in first grade) and Biter the world's toughest guinea pig (doing a stint in kindergarten)escape to freedom. Unfortunately, when GW finally liberates his rodent pals, a gang of surly mice threaten their plans. Jamieson, author and illustrator of Roller Girl (Dial, 2015), here presents a giggle-worthy tale for younger readers and those just venturing into graphic novels. Easy-to-follow panels, complemented by several spreads, explode off the page with her bright and cheery palette. Visual humor abounds, from GW's gallant attempts at sword fighting with the mouse leader (using a broken piece of uncooked spaghetti) to Biter's confession that, while in kindergarten, she's found a way to channel her anger issues through meditation. VERDICT Hand this charmingly goofy graphic novel to chapter book readers who enjoy Dav Pilkey's works, Cyndi Marko's "Kung Pow Chicken" series (Scholastic), and Geoffrey Hayes's "Benny and Penny" books (TOON.) Kiera Parrott , School Library Journal