Wally

ISBN 0590407007 - Funny and fast-paced, Wally's one of those books that boys will enjoy maybe just a little bit more than girls - and there aren't enough of those books. Michael's mother doesn't think that "that Wiggins boy" is someone Michael should spend time with. This is all due to an incident involving a horned toad. That makes it unlikely that Michael's mom is going to be thrilled when Michael brings home a chuckwalla named Wally. Billy Wiggins is going on vacation and he needs some lizard-sitters. He's chosen Michael to take care of Wally and Michael is thrilled. All he has to do is hide the lizard from his parents for several weeks. Michael's brother Roger is more than happy to help with the plan. They set up a box in Michael's closet and arrange for Wally's well-being. All goes smoothly for weeks, until just a few days before Billy is due home. Suddenly, Michael's parents start talking about moving, showing the house to strangers. The kids aren't happy about this at all, but they've got more immediate problems - Wally's missing! How can they concentrate on stopping their parents from selling their house when they're trying to find the lizard before its owner comes home? The book dates itself a little - a microwave is a new thing that the kids aren't familiar with and a phone number begins with two letters - but other than those two details, the story is almost thoroughly timeless. Every kid who's ever tried to pull the wool over their parents' eyes, or just wished they could, will find themselves relating to Michael and Roger.

I remember reading this book when I was in the second grade; it was one of the most absorbing reads of my elementary school years. Judy Wolkoff is a master writer who uses language well to entertain and inform.Michael is a student who is entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of his friend's pet lizard Wally while said friend is on vacation. The only catch is that his mother, the reptile hater, cannot know of the lizard's presence! With the help of his younger brother Roger, Michael goes to all extremes to carry out this noble mission. Can these two keep Wally a secret for three weeks?Judy Wolkoff writes in the first person from Michael's perspective, always descriptive and always completely entertaining. As a child I was absolutely absorbed in this book, to the point of missing my school bus; as an adult, I could re-read this and still be drawn in to the story. Highly recommended for a bookshelf of any age!