Miss Switch Online

From Publishers Weekly In Miss Switch Online by Barbara Brooks Wallace, the third book about the titular heroine, Miss Switch tries to thwart evil witch Saturna's second attempt to take control of Pepperdine Elementary School. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Grade 4-7-When he starts sixth grade at Pepperdine Elementary, Rupert P. Brown III laments the loss of his favorite teacher and witch, Miss Switch, but things are hardly boring. Trouble starts to brew before the end of the first week, culminating in his discovery of a sinister Web site administered by the evil witch Saturna. Then Miss Switch resurfaces in the guise of fashion-challenged Miss Blossom, ready to fight the villain and her cronies, aided by Rupert and his intelligent pets. Using the Web site as a guide, they thwart Saturna and her dimwitted brother, Grodork, and finally defeat him, though Saturna may well return again another day, in another, hopefully more satisfying, sequel. In spite of an abundance of witchy-type behavior-lots of sparks flying from Miss Switch's green eyes, and plenty of last minute rescues utilizing Latin spells and toadstools-this installment tries too hard to attract the hordes of magic-crazed readers without delivering much magic. Even Rupert's famous scientific mind produces little scientific thought as he misses obvious clues to puzzles ultimately solved by his teacher. The final showdown is anticlimactic, as nothing happens to Saturna, and her silly brother only has to fall under a love spell to be vanquished. Rupert is just along for the ride-albeit on a broomstick. There are many more fulfilling bets for fantasy readers.