In his second adventure, the goofy gumshoe contends with a robot that eats library books.Although as blazingly yellow as a crayoned sun, color is Banana Fox's only brightness. Often daffy to the point of nonsense, he lives in a cardboard mansion, enjoying his newfound fame after putting villain Sour Grapes and his Secret Sour Society in jail in his debut. When his ephemeral estate disintegrates in a rainstorm, Banana Fox realizes his friend William wasn't there to help him. Whatever can have happened? (Nothing, it turns out.) Banana Fox, William, and Sharyanna then learn that Sour Grapes Jr. has been freed and is determined to turn the tables on Banana Fox, imprisoning him for racking up a whopping $3,645 in overdue fees. Before long, William, Sharyanna, and Banana Fox find themselves facing off against a lime-green robot intent on wolfing down the written word. When this plan backfires and Sour Grapes Jr.'s favorite book, Floopy Boopy Bunny Has a Birthday, is next on the chomping block, can Banana Fox stop this ravenous robot? This sophomore middle-grade graphic novel follows in its predecessor's footsteps with its over-the-top zaniness, exquisitely eye-popping colors, and quickly plotted chapters. This world should have broad appeal among both the Dav Pilkey crowd and readers who relish a zippy, funny diversion. William presents White, and Sharyanna has brown skin.Exuberantly silly. (Graphic humor. 7-10)

Gr 2-4 Banana Fox and his trusty sidekicks are back in action. Although the Secret Sour Society is in jail, having been defeated by Banana Fox and company, Sour Grapes Jr. is on the loose (little kids can't go to jail, as he points out), and he has Banana Fox put into Library Jail because of overdue fines. Sidekicks Sharyanna and William rush to free Banana Fox but run into unexpected troublea book-eating robot! Bold cartoons depict Sharyanna using her flashlight to search for clues, William lowering his pet turtle through a skylight to free Banana Fox, and the hero himself crying in Library Jail. The humorous, zany mistakes that Banana Fox often makes (like assuming that the Secret Sour Society was behind the rain that caused his cardboard mansion to melt) are reminiscent of Inspector Gadget and sure to have kids laughing out loud. These incredibly inept heroes must fight the evil book-eating robot to save the day so Banana Fox can use his catch phrase "Wowie Pow!" and put the junior villain in time-out. Banana Fox is a yellow fox, Sharyanna is brown-skinned, and William is pink-skinned. VERDICT Plenty of silliness and action will make this a sure hit with early chapter book and graphic novel readers. Perfect for readers who enjoy wacky heroes but are not quite ready for titles as long as Dav Pilkey's "Dog Man." Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elem. Sch., Maryville, TN