CURSE OF THE SQUIRREL
by Laurence Yep & illustrated by Dirk Zimmer
Another in the new Stepping Stone series: a disappointing contribution from a noted chronicler, for older children, of the Chinese. American experience (Child of the Owl, Dragonwings). Here, he essays a "horror" story about a giant squirrel that enchants Howie, one of a pack of dogs. This is neither as scary nor as funny as it sets out to be, and its short sentences result in an annoyingly choppy style.