To perform the all-important Third Task and gain admission into the Society of Magicians, Moongobble must rescue a stolen jewel from elves who have gone bad. The latest in the series has magic, adventure, and humor, all delivered with a light touch suitable for neophyte fantasy fans. Black-and-white pencil drawings illustrate each chapter.

Gr 2-4 In this second book in the series, young Edward and his friends must help Moongobble the Wizard complete the second Mighty Task so that he can become a member of the Society of Magicians. The boy, the wizard, the Rusty Knight, Urk the toad, and Fireball the dragon head into the forever-darkened Forest of the Night to bring home a bottle of the Weeping Werewolf's tears and make the shocking discovery that the creature is Edward's long-lost father. Now, in addition to fulfilling the task, they must also find a way to break the curse that has transformed the man into a monster and kept him from his family all these years. Coville presents an excellent picture of Edward's hopeful but uncertain reactions to finding the father he never knew. The author seamlessly weaves in issues of bullying (Edward is teased for not having a father and later feels guilty for taunting the werewolf) into the flow of his lighthearted fantasy. The charming graphite sketches are a perfect complement to the humorous prose. An excellent choice for fans of Kate McMullan's "Dragon Slayers' Academy" books (Grosset & Dunlap) and Tony Abbott's "The Secrets of Droon" series (Scholastic). Jenna Miller, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL