Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

In the second of the series, the seven zany, quasi-magical Problim children have two prime mysteries to untangle.To solve both, family go-getter Mona spearheads a dual campaign to find a "treasure beyond measure" and to find missing Mama Problim. The book easily stands alone, deftly filling in readers on the first book's adventures. Desdemona O'Pinion is still lurking about, trying to separate the close-knit siblings, but she is not the focus. Mona, whose pretty face belies her predilection for practical jokes and all things dangerous or creepy, drives the fast-paced plot. Each sibling's individual quirk is complemented by a talent or skill that enables the child to participate in one of the contests at the annual Lost Cove Corn Dog Carnival. They must win the contests to earn a trip to the usually off-limit Pirates' Caverns, which may harbor both Grandpa's treasure and their mother. Lloyd hits her stride as she weaves—as intricately as Mona's beloved circus spiders—plot twists, humor, suspense, rivalry, hints of romance for the older Problims, and realistic development of Mona's character. Mona's special game with her father is a lovely, original touch: They slip each other notes expressing affection in terms of animal groupings ("I like you more than a leap of leopards"). The Problims are white; several characters display different kinds of disabilities.Readers will be undaunted by loose ends; that means more adventures to come! (Fantasy. 8-12)

ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Lloyd's quirky gang of seven siblings returns in a new mystery soaked in doughnut frosting, an old family feud, pageantry, noxious toots, and hidden treasure. The Problim children are diligently following clues their grandfather left hidden with segments of a "water witcher" that, once assembled, will lead them to a fountain of youth, which, consequently, is also the fount of eternal loathing between the Problims and their neighbors, the O'Pinions. On top of this cryptic treasure hunt, Mama Problim has disappeared while adventuring, and her cadre of kids is determined to bring her home. Mona is the Wednesday Addams of the Problim children, and the narrative unfolds from her amusingly dark perspective. Lloyd revels in the story's zaniness, bolstering it with heart and enough complexity to ensure readers are invested. Amid the annual Corn Dog Carnival, Mona and her siblings scheme to locate their mother and uncover family secrets in the process. The appearance of a new villain, Cheese Breath, and cliff-hanger ending signal more shenanigans to come d readers will have no problem with that.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

In the second of the series, the seven zany, quasi-magical Problim children have two prime mysteries to untangle.To solve both, family go-getter Mona spearheads a dual campaign to find a "treasure beyond measure" and to find missing Mama Problim. The book easily stands alone, deftly filling in readers on the first book's adventures. Desdemona O'Pinion is still lurking about, trying to separate the close-knit siblings, but she is not the focus. Mona, whose pretty face belies her predilection for practical jokes and all things dangerous or creepy, drives the fast-paced plot. Each sibling's individual quirk is complemented by a talent or skill that enables the child to participate in one of the contests at the annual Lost Cove Corn Dog Carnival. They must win the contests to earn a trip to the usually off-limit Pirates' Caverns, which may harbor both Grandpa's treasure and their mother. Lloyd hits her stride as she weaves—as intricately as Mona's beloved circus spiders—plot twists, humor, suspense, rivalry, hints of romance for the older Problims, and realistic development of Mona's character. Mona's special game with her father is a lovely, original touch: They slip each other notes expressing affection in terms of animal groupings ("I like you more than a leap of leopards"). The Problims are white; several characters display different kinds of disabilities.Readers will be undaunted by loose ends; that means more adventures to come! (Fantasy. 8-12)