The Undergardeners

Desmond Anthony Ellis
Orca Book Publishers (2006)
ISBN 9781551434100
Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 9)  for Reader Views (4/07)

Do you ever feel like you don't like your size? It seems like all the other kids are bigger and they like picking on the littler ones. Mouse is the main character in this book and he is dealing with the same thing. He is small for his age. If only he could go somewhere and be one of the bigger ones, things would be different.

That is exactly what happens in the book "The Undergardeners." At night he is lying in his bed and remembering about helping his dad put up a fence on their property. Over the night, he visits the residents who are living underneath the grass in the yard. Is being big better or should he stay his same size? "The Undergardeners" is a wonderful fantasy story which has good meaning and makes for a fun read for kids ages 8-11.

Note from Brianne's Mom: Brianne is the youngest student in her class and she is often told she is little. She could associate with how Mouse was feeling and loved reading how he overcame his sadness.

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