The Great Hamster Massacre

"Inspired use of simple words, straightforward syntax and effective repetition make this a top pick for slow or reluctant readers...Under the plot's frothy surface lie serious depths...An auspicious debut."--"Kirkus Reviews" "This British import is an interesting mix of British humor with serious issues interspersed. Whimsical, cartoonish pen-and-ink illustrations accompany the story and help lighten the seriousness....This is the first in a series that will appeal to fans of Roald Dahl and Dick King-Smith."



--"Booklist, "July 1, 2011 "An interesting take on how children deal with grief and shock.... Anna's voice is engaging, and portrayals of various pets and neighbors (with accompanying hand-drawn side notes and cartoons) will entertain...give this dark comedy to reluctant readers, mystery lovers, and fans of narrator-illustrated fare like Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books or Tom Angleberger's "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda "(2010, both Abrams)."

--"School Library Journal, "September 2011 "For young readers who can handle a bit of the macabre with their giggles, this strange little tale will be perfectly appealing."

--"Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books", July/August 2011 "A flippy, fun and extremely fast-paced journey into the world of a very likable brother and sister--and their amusing family and friends. Intermittent silly pencil sketches fill the pages diary-style, creating a whimsical mood and adding comic relief.... Giggles are frequent among the kids in this book, and they will infect readers as well." --"BookPage, "May 2011