Bird Shadow: An Ike and Mem Story [Hardcover]

Jennings (The Beastly Arms) launches a series of early chapter books starring siblings Ike and Mem, with this tale of a universal childhood fascination: a haunted house. "No one had ever seen a person go into the house. No one had ever seen one come out. Some of Ike's friends said the place had ghosts." The author builds tension by introducing neighbors who bully the siblings into accompanying them to the house, and the volume quietly creates suspense with other clues. Rather than a number at the start of the chapters, each begins with an illustration that hints at what will follow. For instance, a farmer's hat suggests that readers will encounter its wearer, who also happens to be the owner of the house in question. Ike and Mem do the right thing when their trespassing goes awry, and readers will likely want to follow their adventures in subsequent installments. With a simple sentence structure and gentle repetition, the author instills a sense of confidence in readers just starting to tackle longer stories. Final artwork not seen by PW. Ages 6-9.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Grades 2-4--In the first book in a new series, Ike and his younger sister accept a dare to go to the spooky Hawkins place on the other side of town despite the sign warning, "Trespassers Beware." From a shed, they hear ghostly noises that turn out to be pigeons. Dave, the ringleader, believes that the birds are trapped in the coop and throws a rock through the window. After their vandalism, the children run away, but Ike and Mem return to see if the pigeons have flown away. Mr. Hawkins appears, asks who threw the rock, and threatens to call their parents. As they return home, a pigeon follows them. When their parents notice it, the youngsters confess to their activities and apologize to Mr. Hawkins. At the story's end, Dave blames Ike for squealing, but the siblings have made a new friend in Mr. Hawkins, who invites them to visit the pigeon. This simple adventure story will ring true with any children who have been goaded by a bully into participating in an activity that they know is wrong. The actions of the characters are realistic but predictable. That they are followed home by the pigeon is a bit far-fetched, but the conceit works to tie the story together. Characters are well developed. Ike and Mem are morally strong and face up to their misdeed. Adults are fair, kind, and well-rounded. Unfortunately, the flat black-and-white sketches do not enhance the action. Although it is not divided into chapters, this story will serve collections where beginning chapter books are needed.
Alice Casey Smith, Sayreville Public Schools, Parlin, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

In the first book in a new series, Ike and his younger sister accept a dare to go to the spooky Hawkins place on the other side of town despite the sign warning, "Trespassers Beware." From a shed, they hear ghostly noises that turn out to be pigeons. Dave, the ringleader, believes that the birds are trapped in the coop and throws a rock through the window. After their vandalism, the children run away, but Ike and Mem return to see if the pigeons have flown away. Mr. Hawkins appears, asks who threw the rock, and threatens to call their parents. As they return home, a pigeon follows them. When their parents notice it, the youngsters confess to their activities and apologize to Mr. Hawkins. At the story's end, Dave blames Ike for squealing, but the siblings have made a new friend in Mr. Hawkins, who invites them to visit the pigeon.

Anna Alter is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. She illustrated "The Three Little Kittens" and "Estelle and Lucy", which she also wrote. She lives in Massachusetts.

Patrick Jennings is a teacher and librarian. Currently, he is working as an author full-time. An important part of this work is visiting schools. His first book, Faith and the Electric Dogs was a Booklist Editors' Choice and a Texas Bluebonnet Master List selection. It has also received three starred reviews. His more recent novels, The Wolving Time and Out Standing in My Field have each garnered glowing reviews. Of The Wolving Time, Publishers Weekly (in a starred review) wrote, "This page-turner delivers a fascinating commentary on what constitutes true goodness." Out Standing in My Field was a BookSense pick, a Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" book, and received two starred reviews. "One of the most important themes in my work, and in my interactions with students, is the power language holds to excite the imagination, to express one's ideas and emotions, and to bring people closer through empathy and understanding. He lives in Washington State.