Starred Review Rory and his archnemesis, Tommy-Lee, both find themselves in the isolation ward of the same hospital. Why are they there? It seems each of the boys has turned bright green from head to toe. The doctors are baffled. Could this condition be related to the Killer Kittens outbreak? Could it have been caused by something even worse? To escape, Tommy-Lee and Rory must reluctantly join forces. Along the way, they are aided by Koko Kwok, an opinionated girl who is also a victim of the green coloring, and a penguin named Peter. The four of them set out on a perilous journey to announce to the world what they have surmised about their condition. Of course, three green kids and a penguin have a hard time being taken seriously as messengers, and it's not long before law enforcement is hunting the streets of London for the Broccoli Gang. Boyce, whose Cosmic (2010) is something of a modern classic, and who recently wrapped up several authorized sequels of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang series, provides readers with a fast-paced and hysterically funny adventure while also exploring the nature of fear, friendship, and family. Readers might also appreciate The Doldrums, by Nicholas Gannon (reviewed on p.XX), and Tom Angleberger's Qwikpick Papers series.

Gr 4-6 When Rory Rooney, the smallest boy in his year and sadly the target of bullies including Grim Komissky, suddenly turns green on a class trip, he is blamed and ridiculed before a helicopter whisks him to a London hospital. Fearful he could be contagious, doctors aren't taking any chances while the "Killer Kittens" virus is ravaging England. Rory is dismayed to learn he is stuck in quarantine, being watched like he's a fish in a bowl, with the only other known sufferer of the mysterious green affliction—his arch nemesis, Grim (real name Tommy-Lee). Hoping their greenness means they are secretly superheroes, Rory and Tommy-Lee become convinced they have acquired superpowers. Rory is positive his brain now works at 200% capacity and that he can "slightly" teleport, while Tommy-Lee seems to be able to unlock coded doors while sleepwalking. Boyce has woven a quirky and madcap adventure full of resplendent British humor and colloquialisms. Rory and Grim band together, escaping from the hospital during the evenings, encountering loyal penguins, becoming entangled in an unfortunate royal hostage situation, and uncovering another green child—Koko. As the trio work to discover the cause of their mysterious color, they also learn what makes a true friend. VERDICT Humorous and fast-paced, this distinctive tale with well-developed characters will appeal to those readers who have ever searched for their own superpowers.— Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA