I REALLY loved this book. I bought it for my 3rd grade son at the school book fair, and ended up reading it for myself. It's the kind of book you can read again and again and never tire of. The young characters are lovable and endearing; the plot is interesting and unpredictable (I hate predictability) and the writing itself is wholesome. (WOW! Now that's a word you don't hear often these days!)I recommend it to every young boy and girl (and Mom and Dad.) It has great appeal to either gender--and all ages. I only hope someone writes a review like this for me some day!