SIMON BLOOM, THE GRAVITY KEEPER

The town of Lawnville has many secrets; among them are the forest that hides itself from all but a select group and The Order of Physics, part of an arcane union that explores the sciences. Things start to break apart in Lawnville, however, when a sixth-grader named Simon Bloom (so ordinary that people often forget his name) comes into possession of a large book labeled Teacher’s Edition of Physics. Pursued by a brilliant villain named Sirabetta and her not-so-bright sidekick, Mermon, Simon teams up with fellow sixth-graders Owen (easily frightened but resourceful) and smart, mouthy Alysha. Told in a series of amusingly titled chapters with occasional commentary by the (unseen, but omniscient) Narrator, this tale plays fast and loose with fantasy and science-fiction conventions—with great success. The action is fast-paced; there is lots of slapstick humor; and things do work out in the end. The last chapter even hints of a sequel. Tweens who enjoyed Lemony Snicket will be equally amused by this lightweight but swift and funny read. (Science fiction. 12-14)