Miles Murphy isn't happy about moving to small Yawnee Valley (Welcome sign: "Come look at our cows") or leaving his friends, but he is determined to be Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy's number one prankster, the title he proudly held at his old school. He is facing serious competition, however, when an anonymous d, Miles admits, inspired ickster delays the first day of school by somehow blocking the school's entryway with the principal's car. Worse, aptly named Principal Barkin blames Miles and pairs him with goody-two-shoes Niles Sparks; then he is targeted by bully Josh. Undaunted, Miles focuses on achieving premiere prankster status, but he is continually thwarted. Thus begins a rivalry of pranking one-upmanship, but perhaps an alliance is better d ultimately rewarding in multiple ways. With plenty of humor, quirky characters, interspersed drolly related cow factoids, and fantastical, over-the-top pranking, this entertaining, enjoyable read will especially appeal to Wimpy Kid aficionados. Throughout, lively black-and-white cartoon illustrations depict characters, scenarios, and sundry ephemera with witty details. Readers will be anticipating the prankster pals' further escapades.

Gr 4-6 When you move to a new school, you get to decide who you want to be: front-row kid, kid with cool shoes, or smart kid. Miles Murphy has moved to a new town and a new school, but he doesn't want to reinvent himself. He wants to be who he has always been; a prankster. The problem is, that role has already been taken by a troublemaker who is even better than Miles, Niles Sparks, masquerading as a do-gooder. Niles respects Miles' skills and suggests they join forces as The Terrible Two. Initially disinterested, Miles ultimately realizes he is no match for Niles, and they work together to pull off the ultimate prank and develop a close friendship. Coauthors and friends Barnett and John have created a fast paced, laugh-out-loud novel sure to appeal to those who appreciate a good prank and have a sense of justice. The caricaturelike protagonists, particularly the childlike adult characters, add to the absurdity of the book, and the evolving relationship between the Miles and Niles is pure fun. Cornell's varied graphics perfectly capture the humorous tone and add their own comic appeal. This is a good candidate for reluctant readers and a natural next read for fans of Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series. Juliet Morefield, Multnomah County Library, OR

Miles Murphy, meet Niles Sparks. The former is the new kid, the latter is the sash-swathed school ambassador assigned to be his guide. Niles is really an undercover prankster interested in teaming with in-your-face prankster Miles. Miles is convinced he must claim prankster supremacy at the Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy in a rural community where cattle outnumber people. The boys are pitted against fifth-generation pointy-nosed Principal Barry Barkin, who takes his job too seriously and blames Miles for every mishap. Squeaky-clean Niles, though, is surreptitiously involved in each scheme. Niles pushes for dÚtente; Miles is not buying it. He has always been a lone prankster and has the journal to prove it. But Niles foils every prank until Miles finally sees the merit in joining forces with the ostensibly nice kid.The book is littered with cow facts from 1,346 Interesting Things You May or May Not Know about Cows. (Some readers may be curious enough to research their accuracy.) Somewhere in the distance, a cow or cows keep mooing. For some it will become annoying repetition; for others, a modestly ingenious setup for one last prank. It is the sort of humor that tweens may enjoy. Testimonials from Jeff Kinney, Jon Scieszka, Annie Barrows, and Sara Pennypacker dot the cover in an effort to ramp up readership. Somewhere in the distance, kids will laugh, and if you pride yourself on the breadth of your library's humor section, this one will make the cut.Donna L Phillips.

Forced to leave behind his proud reputation as class prankster, Miles Murphy dreads starting over in a new town. Miles finds himself paired up with do-gooder Niles at Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy and is disappointed to discover that an impressive, anonymous prankster already attends the school. Miles must either out-prank this character...or join forces. Punchy line drawings magnify the text's well-timed comedy and clever details.