Scieszka's ever-popular Time Warp Trio is off again, this time to Chichen Itza, Mexico, circa 1000 C. E. Joe, Sam, and Fred land in the middle of an ancient ball game, similar to basketball. Unfortunately, an evil high priest, Kakapupahed, is determined to sacrifice the kids to appease the harvest gods. Joe, Sam, and Fred have other ideas, of course, and with the help of the high priest's nephew, Jun, the three manage to embarrass and depose Kakapupahed, save their own lives, and return safely to Brooklyn. As in the earlier titles, this story is full of improbable situations, anachronisms, bad puns, and silly high jinks--in short, all the qualities that have endeared the author to young readers for so many years. At the same time, Scieszka manages to work in a fair amount of information about Mayan culture, especially the calendar and number system, without ruining the story. McCauley's black-and-white art is appropriately goofy. For series fans as well as newly independent and reluctant readers.

Narrator Joe and friends Sam and Fred travel a thousand years back in time and visit the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Sentenced to death by High Priest Kakapupahed, the boys use their basketball skills to turn the tables on their nemesis. The souped-up pacing, lowbrow comedy, and comical black-and-white illustrations will make this book a hit with reluctant readers.

Gr 3-5-The Time Warp Trio takes yet another unscheduled trip to the past. One moment Fred, Sam, and Joe are teasing one another on the basketball court in Brooklyn, and the next, they're playing for their lives on a Mayan ball court. The three boys must rely on their wits, one another, and the kindness of strangers to get out of a dreadful jam. Newly independent readers will find plenty of momentum in the dialogue and action. Scieszka introduces just enough about the Mayan people to set up plenty of puns and even a little bathroom humor. McCauley's cartoons underscore the crazy sense of high adventure. This time-tested formula succeeds again.-Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.