The Magic Pretzel: Ready for Chapters 1

This book features Normal Gnormal, a 4th-grader raised as a dog. When his parents become concerned about his behavior at school (growling and storing meat in his desk), Norman's principal signs him up for the school's werewolf club along with Ralf Alfa, Billy Furball, and Lucy Fang. The club is sponsored by "weird and scary" teacher, Mr. Talbot, who always wears a long coat, gloves, hat, scarf, and sunglasses. The children discover that Mr. Talbot is, in fact, a werewolf stuck in wolf form as a result of a curse placed on him by his half brother, Lance Von Sweeny. The curse can only be lifted by the titular magic pretzel, in Lance's possession. Obtaining the pretzel and returning Mr. Talbot to human form the book's main adventure. This is the first book in a series, which picks up from Pinkwater's 1985 book, I Was a Second-Grade Werewolf, slyly mentioned as Ralf's favorite book. Presented in 78 pages and 38 brief chapters, the story begins by providing a bit of background in "Chapter Minus Three" through "Chapter Zero" as a kind of countdown before launching into the main story. The tone is playful, current (the first chapter's "Frequently Asked Werewolf Questions" recall FAQ's on the World Wide Web), and hip without seeming to pander to childrens' tastes. The story is easy to follow with many comically nonsensical tidbits, including the parsnip car driven by Lance and the Museum of the Pretzel. The book's simple cartoonish black and white illustrations bring faces to the characters and, in the case of the children, present vital statistics such as height, weight, and type of wolf on ID cards. Although the characters and events are outlandish and comical, the story presents aspects of school and family life that will be familiar and poignant to children. Newly independent readers will enjoy the fast-paced and funny style of this chapter book; avid readers will also enjoy beginning an entertaining series.

Daniel Pinkwater's "The Werewolf Club #1: The Magic Pretzel" is a fun book for young readers. The story is an entertaining blend of fantasy and humor, and is well enhanced by Jill Pinkwater's cartoony illustrations.This book tells the story of Norman Gnormal, a boy whose parents have raised him as if he were a puppy. A kid who doesn't quite fit in with the average crowd, Norman finds a fairly supportive peer group in an after-school club for students who hapen to be werewolves. The club members go on a mission to help their faculty advisor, Mr. Talbot, with a dilemma invoving the magical relic of the book's title.This book reminded me a little of the film "The Little Vampire," but is sillier (and hairier). The text opens with a spoofy werewolf Q & A, and incorporates some clever references to werewolf films and lore. Good fun!

Fourth grader, Norman Gnormal has been raised as a dog...it's what his parents really wanted when they had him and his earliest memories are of playing fetch with his father. Now the principal of the Watson Elementary School has signed him up for the Werewolf Club, since there aren't any other activities for boys who think that they're dogs. At the first meeting, scary and weird Mr Talbot, a werewolf himself and the club's sponsor, sets the group's first mission in motion. They are going to cure themselves of this evil curse by stealing the "Magic Pretzel", kept in a burglar proof case in the Museum of Pretzel. One bite, under the full moon and the curse will be lifted! Daniel Pinkwater has written a fast paced, funny, absurd and delightful short chapter book, that is just perfect for kids aged 7-10. With action packed scenes and hip kid-speak language, your youngsters will be turning pages to the very end as Norman, the only non-werewolf of the club, uses his canine skills to find and capture the prized pretzel. This is the beginning of a terrific series and a sure way to help your kids enjoy reading.

This is my first book by the Pinkwaters (Daniel writes and Jill illustrates) but it won't be my last. The Werewolf Club : The Magic Pretzel, is a silly, absurd book but in the most delightful way. You see, Mr. Talbot, half-man, half-wolf, and sponsor of the Watson Elementary School Werewolf Club needs the one thing that can keep you from turning into a werewolf: The Magic Pretzel. Unfortunately, it is under the care of Talbot's half brother, Lance Von Sweeny, who keeps it locked away. Enter Norman Gnormal, the only nonwerewolf in the club, who was raised as a dog by his quirky parents (who actually wanted a dog instead of a little boy). Norman uses his tracking skills and canine-like smell to help Talbot find the magic pretzel, but of course it ain't easy.This is the first book in the series known as THE WEREWOLF CLUB and I hope the next book is just as wacky and wonderful as this one. The illustrations aid a great deal to the story and serve the writing style very nicely. Grab a bowl of pretzels (magic or otherwise) and enjoy.