Author Description

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