A VILLAIN'S NIGHT OUT

Mahy has created a timely and amusing story for the computer age. When the school library's book budget is spent to buy a coffee machine for teachers, the kids in Formby's class are given the assignment to write books for the library. Chaos ensues as Formby's bratty little sister hacks into his story. Narrator Mitchley is wonderful with the plots and counterplots, as well as with the huge and villainous cast of characters. The story's comic approach overflows with words that have double meanings and that play on (or off) the Internet. Mitchley's considerable ability keeps the complex story on track while giving kids, and adults, lots of fun. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 00]