This short chapter book pits overly clever Kelly Sparks against the new kid, Albert Einstein Jones, for the Gadget Wiz crown in their classroom. A funny but messy episode with an egg catapult will amuse readers, as will the premise and the outcome of the battle.

When Albert Einstein Jones joins Kelly's third grade, it's hate at first sight'': proud of her status as class inventor, Kelly meets his competitive zeal with rancor that escalates as each attacks the other with not-so-ingenious pranks involving smelly goo, food catapults, etc. But when the orange that Kelly slings at Albert hits the principal by mistake, the resourceful Albert covers for her—with the unexpected result that he gets the blame. Kelly is honest enough to tell the principal what really happened; left alone together in detention, she and Albert go through a classic disarmament, alternately dropping their gadgets into the trash one by one, and decide thatmaking peace is definitely nicer than making war.'' Too broadly drawn to strike adults as funny, but the intended audience will enjoy the slapstick and may absorb the not-so-subtle message. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 7-10)"

Gr 2-4-- Kelly is a third grader who solves problems by inventing playful and mischievous gadgets. A new student named Albert Einstein Jones turns out to be a problem as well as a major rival for her title as class gadget whiz.'' They begin a full-scale war of inventions--from thepants-wetter'' to food-fight catapults, which result in an orange throwing incident in the school cafeteria. Although the preposterous events and gimmicks are exaggerated to elicit humor, readers of short chapter books will enjoy the silliness. A mention of some factual information about famous inventors is integrated into the text. This is a lightweight additional title for libraries that never seem to have enough books for easy-reader graduates. --Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA