THE SPY WORE SHADES

Every 50 years the Druids send a spy from the underground civilization of Hek to investigate the Extros, or humans, living on the surface. This time the spy is a young girl named Varloo who has five days to find out as much information as she can about the Extros and report back to the elders. Varloo immediately runs into trouble on the surface, losing the sacred cat, Osi, and knocking herself unconscious. Luckily she is found by Dougie Minners, who takes her back to his tree house and feeds her lasagna and Oreo’s until she tells him her story. Dougie tells Varloo of a plan for a housing development that will threaten the existence of Hek and together this unlikely pair must find a way to save the underground civilization. Varloo and Dougie learn that even though their lives and customs are very different, they can appreciate each other for their uniqueness. Detailed descriptions of the diet (mushroom cakes and turnip wafers) and the fuel source (bat guano) of the imaginary civilization give the narrative a lively spark, but at times things become confusing as Freeman introduces new characters and concepts with unfamiliar names. Still, these minor flaws don’t detract from this fun story that will enchant young readers with its witty dialogue and creativity. (Fiction. 8-10)