Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2005)

Starred Review Pullman seems equally at home whether creating high fantasy, Victorian mysteries, or old-fashioned stories in the fairy-tale fashion. Here he excels in the latter mode, creating unique characters to charm young readers. When Scarecrow (reminiscent of his relative in the Wizard of Oz ) meets orphan Jack, both the boy and straw man see the wisdom of Jack's attending to the scarecrow as a servant. Together the pair contends with danger . . . followed by glory . . . leading to sorrow as promised by a fortune-teller. It's Jack who keeps Scarecrow's head on (literally at times) as his master blithely takes a turn on the boards, becomes an officer in the army, and finds treasure on an island, even as he keeps his inner conviction rolled up on a scroll stuffed in his shirt. The umbrella story about Scarecrow's raison d'etre (to rescue his polluted valley from an evil ruling family) is purposive, but its sharp point is cushioned by the flimflam and fancy pervading the tale. Best of all, however, is the charm exuded by Scarecrow and the boy, two memorable fellows who may seem familiar, but are utterly their own.

Starred Review for Publishers Weekly

Oz isn't the only place where scarecrows make great traveling companions. In Pullman's (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">The Golden Compass) charming and original fairy tale, a natty and blithe scarecrow comes to life when he's struck by lightning. He quickly hires on a local orphan boy named Jack to be his servant and the two set off to see not the wizard, but the world—and seek out a place called Spring Valley, where the scarecrow knows he belongs. Entertaining adventures, including outwitting a band of brigands, ensue. British actor Malcolm's velvety, elegant voice makes nimble transitions between a cast of distinct character voices: the gruff brigands, simple farmer and eager young Jack. The scarecrow's confident, sophisticated manner of speaking is humorous and sometimes touching—but always memorable. Listeners will delight in Malcolm's interpretation of this blend of new twists and familiar elements, all strung together in Pullman's fine style. Ages 8-12. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Sept.)

Horn Book

Pullman mixes elements of story like a magician in this picaresque fable of corporate interest thwarted. Brought to life on a thunderous night, Lord Scarecrow--who is more than a little like Don Quixote--and his servant Jack set off on an eventful pilgrimage. Pullman's language has a comic flamboyance and precision; Bailey's line drawings are a charming counterpart to the tale.

Kirkus Reviews

A pair of valiant adventurers outwits a lawyer and his corporate masters in this comic fairy tale. The Scarecrow has been stolen so often that, by the time it comes to life, it's nowhere near its home in Spring Valley. Together with clever orphan Jack, whom he hires as a servant, the Scarecrow quests for his home. Along the way, he becomes an actor, a lover and a soldier. Each time, the Scarecrow's foolishness is nearly their undoing until resourceful Jack saves the day. But unbeknownst to Jack and the Scarecrow, they're being followed by a lawyer for the wicked Buffaloni family, which wants to turn the Scarecrow's beautiful Spring Valley into a rat poison factory. Luckily, Jack's cleverness and the Scarecrow's kindness (for, though he exists to scare birds, he can't bear to scare a baby bird or its parents) help them defeat the Buffalonis in a thoroughly amusing conclusion. Lightweight for Pullman, but witty, affectionate and fun. (Fantasy. 8-12)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Old Mr. Pandolfo, feeling that life is getting too difficult-what with troublesome weather, troublesome soldiers, and very troublesome cousins-decides the time has come to create a scarecrow. At least a scarecrow would take care of the birds. Mr. Pandolfo creates a fine scarecrow, indeed, with a large turnip for a head, a broomstick for a backbone, dressed in a tweed suit stuffed with straw. Hidden within it, carefully wrapped in oilskin, is a mysterious letter. But how can this extraordinary creature-who comes to life when struck by a bolt of lightning-fulfill his destiny if he's stuck out in the middle of a field? Enter Jack, an enterprising, intelligent, and practical young orphan fleeing the soldiers who robbed him of home and family. Jack's motto, "It could be worse," comes in handy as he agrees to become the servant of the rather egocentric scarecrow, setting off to find "excitement and glory." Scarecrow's excellent opinion of himself sets the stage for a variety of silly, yet dangerous, adventures. Run-ins with government officials, soldiers, and unscrupulous business people provide plenty of opportunities for moralizing on the evils of society. In another setting, this story line might seem over-the-top, but Pullman's clever employment of fairy-tale conventions, his superb use of language, and his engaging dialogue make it a wholly satisfying yarn of ridiculous proportions, and Bailey's line drawings provide just the right feeling of long ago that every good fairy tale deserves.-Sharon Grover, Arlington County Department of Libraries, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.