Sifting through a flurry of text, readers will stumble upon headings marked “Science Fair Ideas,” consisting of simple, at-home experiments such as tracking one’s pulse with a dab of modeling clay or smelling foods that have strong odors. Earthling skin, hair, brains, bones, muscles, and organs are measured by these compare-and-contrast standards, delivering information along the way.

Danoid labels hands as primary manipulatives, feet as planet connectors, and knees, multidirectional movement facilitators. A cartoon anatomical outline charts the alien Danoid’s first encounter with Pete. Wyatt (The Science Book for Girls, 1997, etc.) adopts an alien’s-eye-view of earthlings, comparing the human body with that of a friendly lifeform from outer space. Leaving the door open an inch for sequels, he dishes up a crowd-pleaser as delicious-if not so weird-as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Filling out the supporting cast with the requisite trio of bullies, plus magical minions of various (and sometimes gross) abilities, Mull trots his twist-laden plot forward to a well set-up climax. And, as it turns out, she isn’t the only magician who’s come to town-not even the only one whose magic is tied to sweets. White is actually after a draft from the Fountain of Youth that will make her the world’s most powerful magician. When she begins asking them to commit certain burglaries, though, their exhilaration turns to unease, and rightly so Mrs. Having asked them to help her recover a hidden treasure that (she says) belongs to her, Belinda White, friendly proprietor of a sweets shop that has just opened in their small town, provides some uncommon candies-like Moon Rocks, that give them the ability to jump like grasshoppers, and literally electrifying Shock Bits. At first, Nate, Summer, Trevor and Pigeon think they have it good. Four fifth-graders are recruited by a scheming magician in this hefty bonbon from the author of the Fablehaven tales.

The candy shop war book series