Children's fiction. I was disappointed by this Gregory Maguire book aimed at kids. It attempts to meld Maguire's fairytale-fantasyworld with that of the Wayside School Kids, and succeeds only in boring the reader. Bleah. ( )

The last in the Hamlet Chronicles is the weakest in the series. Still plenty of Maguire's signature humor, which got plenty of laughs, but the plot supporting it was somewhat meandering and unfocused. Worth reading if you already read the first four, but otherwise, don't bother. ( )

"A Couple of April Fools" is the next to the last book in the Hamlet Chronicles. I actually read the last book, "One Final Firecracker" first, so click on the title to read my review on that if your interested. I'm sad that this is my last book to read in this series, because I've really enjoyed reading it!

In "A Couple of April Fools," we join our friends as they sneak up on April Fools day. Miss Earth is distracted, and the Thekla is trying hard to figure out if Miss Earth and Mayor Grass are actually engaged, and that's why Miss Earth's so distracted. The rest of the students are debating the wisdom of playing tricks on each other this year.

Unfortunately, the trick that girls decide to pull on the boys turns a little bit nasty, and then Miss Earth disappears! This throws the whole town into an uproar. Speculation abounds. Where could she have gone? Did she run away with someone other than Mayor Earth? Did Mayor Earth hurt his hand losing his temper at Miss Earth? Did some other foul play befall her? You'll have to read the book to find out! ( )