MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT

Charlotte Parry’s slight, sweet voice is well matched to this story of Malcolm, a small rat who eludes his fate as snake food to become the pet of a fifth-grade classroom. When Malcolm escapes from his cage, he meets other animals and becomes the number one suspect when Aggy, the iguana, goes missing. Parry transforms effectively from the timid, desperate Malcolm to the serious, narrow-minded bunny; the wise, elderly Aggy; and the sinister, resentful cat. In addition to the assortment of animal characters, Parry conveys the comical nature of the gullible human teachers, and Malcolm’s friend, the keen, quick-thinking fifth grader. Parry’s timing with quick, short words also conveys excitement and adventure in this enticing story. M.F. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2012]