Soccer Circus

From Publishers Weekly " 'I can't believe you did it,' my dad said." And, not surprisingly, the rapscallion Hobie is off and running smack dab into trouble--in this case, riding his bicycle through wet cement, for openers, in this seventh installment of the popular lad's monkeyshines. Later, finding himself at the Megadome Motel (participation in a soccer tournament includes an overnight), Hobie becomes embroiled in the intrigue of a murder mystery weekend, a clown wedding and the ubiquitous horseplay of his teammates. As usual in these spirited tales, Hobie's good intentions blend with slapsticky episodes to create kid-pleasing farce. The plot here seems occasionally disjointed, though possessed of that particular logic clear to youngsters. A typically frenetic pace, comical dialogue ("If I'd known it was going to turn out like this I would never ever have allowed you to be a penguin")--and, of course, the presence front and center of the always-likable Hobie guarantee another good time for Gilson's many fans. Illustrations not seen by PW . Ages 8-up. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Grade 4-6-- When Hobie Hanson's soccer team goes away on an overnight tournament, Hobie has every intention of behaving himself. Also staying at their motel are kids from other teams and adults on a murder-mystery weekend. The children all expect to go wild, envisioning all-night TV-viewing, elevator tag, and water-balloon bombs hurtled from balconies. Instead, Hobie finds himself participating in a clown wedding, where he unintentionally destroys the buffet table. He also sneaks out of his room at midnight to help a senior citizen "sleuth." The emphasis of the plot is on the motel antics, without much soccer action. Accompanied by occasional black-and-white drawings, the story starts slowly but eventually gains momentum, accurately capturing the joy of children who are free of their parents, if only for a night. Not exceptional, but still fun. --George Delalis, Oakland Public Library, CACopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.