In this new Chet Gecko adventure, the best lizard detective at Emerson Hicky Elementary recounts a truly scary case: his classmates are doing homework without complaint and being quiet in class. In short, they have become model students. Something is afoot, and the tough-talking, wisecracking PI wants to know what's going on. Suspects and red herrings abound: the new librarian, groovy Cool Beans, knows an awful lot about zombies; and what about slick Sammy Weasel? Fueled by ample snacks, Chet and cohort Natalie Mockingbird are on the case. Fast-paced suspense and snappy dialogue make for an entertaining read. Kids will enjoy Chet's narrative, filled with wordplay and tongue-in-cheek commentary, and black-and-white drawings add fun as as they visualize an animal cast that mirrors human behavior. A solid stand-alone in a choice series for reluctant readers.

When his classmates start acting like obedient drones, private eye Chet Gecko decides to investigate the matter before he, too, ends up "dancing the zombie mambo." As in earlier books in the series, Big Nap is loaded with film-noirish dialogue and clever puns that provide plenty of humor for older readers, but the younger crowd may not catch all the jokes. Hale's black-and-white illustrations show off his wacky cast of characters.

Gr 3-4-This adventure of the fourth-grade detective at Hicky Elementary School, is fraught with puns and double entendres that may not be grasped by young readers. However, the animal characters are very amusing. In this installment, Chet is faced with the eventuality of all of the students being turned into zombies. With the help of Natalie the bird and Waldo, a nonspecific furball, Chet meets and defeats the villainous weasel. Amusing black-and-white drawings are scattered throughout and deftly capture the animals' antics and personalities.-Sharon McNeil, Los Angeles County Office of Education Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.