Corby and her family are traveling to their new home on a cruise ship full of interesting characters, most notably, the very UN-humorous "Brotherhood of Clowns." Corby finds a strange animal in the hold, and ends up embarking upon an adventure to save the creature from its captors. Witty illustrations embellish the text, which is very clever in its own right. A quick read, with plenty of twists and turns. Grades 3 -5.

(For the whole series:) In a world just a little unlike our own, truly exceptional children go on truly strange adventures. While each of these books could be read separately, they are definitely a series, as the kids all end up at the same crazy school in the end. As always, Stewart and Riddell have created a world full of odd inventions, odder people, and strange beasties of different shapes and sizes. The kids are spunky and resourceful. The characters would make great fun for make-believe play. The illustrations are amazing. Riddell has a style I would recognize anywhere, which complements Stewart’s odd brain.