The Twin in the Tavern

From School Library Journal Grade 3-6-A worthy successor to Peppermints in the Parlor (Aladdin, 1985), filled with orphans, musty passages, mysterious relatives, and despicable villains. This book turns Alexandria, VA, into a delightfully murky, New-World version of London past. Young Taddy is found by scavenging thieves as he cowers in the house of his recently dead aunt and uncle. Rather than face the workhouse, he submits to being hauled off to be a servant in their tavern, which is smack in the heart of the town where he was told by his dying uncle to look for his twin and find out his true identity. At the Dog's Tail, he is renamed "Toady," is made to sleep under the kitchen table, and must share that tiny space with an artful dodger who revels in his sudden seniority. The wretched treatment of the boys will inspire young readers to outraged demands for justice-and they won't be disappointed. With a fine hand for Gothic embroidery and a nifty surprise conclusion that ties up all the loose ends, Wallace has delivered another very satisfying read.