When their sister Mallory is abducted, twins Jared and Simon journey to an underground cavern populated by dwarfs who have (for vague reasons not sufficiently explained) tried to make Mallory immortal. The heavily illustrated episode, which takes place over the course of one evening, will appeal to steadfast fans of this fantasy series, despite its murky plot and abrupt conclusion.

The penultimate volume in The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 4: The Ironwood Tree by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black pits Jared and Simon Grace against quarry-dwelling dwarves who have kidnapped their sister, Mallory. The children must escape these and other dangers that surface as a new arch-villain arises at the book's conclusion, prepping readers for the final installment.

Gr 3-6-The Grace children are back for their fourth adventure in the quest to understand and protect Arthur Spiderwick's guide, a book that offers information about the faerie world. Mallory, the oldest, goes missing from a fencing match. The twins, Jared and Simon, must solve a riddle to save her from evil dwarves who want to create a world totally out of metal with their sister as their queen. This installment in the fast-paced series continues with short chapters and well-developed, likable characters. Black-and-white drawings enhance the suspenseful mood. Reluctant readers and fans alike will enjoy this adventure and look forward to the finale.-Krista Tokarz, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.