Harry the Poisonous Centipede's Big Adventure

After his earlier big adventures (divulged in Harry the Poisonous Centipede ) , one would think this young centipede would have had his fill of drama and excitement. But that would be a "not-so," in centi-lingo. Harry (technically, his real, Centipedish name is Hxzltl, but we can call him Harry) and his best friend George (Grnddjl) once again find themselves in a peck of trouble when they are trapped in hard-air prisons by the dreaded Hoo-Mins (who might call these prisons jars ) . They manage to escape, only to embark on an extended good news/bad news-style adventure that spans landscapes (and seascapes) and involves taunting tarantulas, incredibly annoying marine centipede cousins, and a friendly, former-potential-meal lady dung beetle. Whether bravely biting the heads off a veritable army of soldier ants or crackling forlornly to each other about their homesickness for Harry's mother, Belinda (Bkvlbbchk) , Harry and George stick together and stick it out. With tremendous wit and squirmy thrills, Lynne Reid Banks keeps her Hoo-Min readers on the edge of their seats. Prolific illustrator Tony Ross joins Banks again to portray in exciting black-and-white line drawings the surprising range of centi-emotions--and escapades. What next for Hxzltl and Grnddjl? (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter