So begins the story of the Scarecrow, a courteous fellow with a generous spirit, a passion for adventure-and a small pea for a brain. Accompanied by Jack, a young orphaned boy who eagerly becomes his faithful servant, the Scarecrow leaves his bird-scaring duties behind and seeks a life of glory and excitement. They set out boldly for a place called Spring Valley, a place that is written on the Scarecrow's heart...the place where he belongs. Along the way, the valiant Scarecrow plunges them into terrifying dangers-battles, brigands, broken hearts, and a shipwreck at sea. But the Scarecrow is unaware of the gravest threat of all: the one family who desperately wishes he had never sprung to life. Will the Scarecrow discover the secret to his past before the evil Buffalonis close in on him? Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Starred Review. In this witty and moving fairy tale from Pullman (The Golden Compass; I Was a Rat!), a scarecrow comes miraculously to life in a wartorn England. "Remember where you belong. Be courteous, and be brave, and be honorable, and be kind. And best of blooming luck," says the farmer who creates the straw-stuffed hero. Does it matter that intelligence and worldliness were left out of the farmer's blessings? Not a bit: These qualities are supplied in abundance by the orphaned youngster Jack, whom the jaunty scarecrow takes on as his servant. Picaresque adventures ensue: Jack and his master best a band of brigands, make their stage debut, join an army regiment and, when Jack convinces his master to desert (unbeknownst to the Scarecrow) by escaping on a raft, they get shipwrecked on an island. The scarecrow also falls in love (with a beguiling broom, who is;alas!;betrothed to a rake), all the while maintaining "the inner conviction that [he is] a man of property," destined to be landlord of a place called Spring Valley. Adding a shiver of suspense is a subplot about the sinister lawyer Cercorelli, who is tracking down the scarecrow for his employers, the greedy Buffaloni clan, who have their own plans for Spring Valley. Like the classic tales from which it draws inspiration, this story has a sense of always having been there, just waiting to be told. Bailey's delicate line drawings complement the winning characterizations and assured pacing. Ages 8-12. (Aug.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Starred Review. Gr 4-6 Old Mr. Pandolfo, feeling that life is getting too difficult what with troublesome weather, troublesome soldiers, and very troublesome cousins decides the time has come to create a scarecrow. At least a scarecrow would take care of the birds. Mr. Pandolfo creates a fine scarecrow, indeed, with a large turnip for a head, a broomstick for a backbone, dressed in a tweed suit stuffed with straw. Hidden within it, carefully wrapped in oilskin, is a mysterious letter. But how can this extraordinary creature who comes to life when struck by a bolt of lightning fulfill his destiny if he's stuck out in the middle of a field? Enter Jack, an enterprising, intelligent, and practical young orphan fleeing the soldiers who robbed him of home and family. Jack's motto, It could be worse, comes in handy as he agrees to become the servant of the rather egocentric scarecrow, setting off to find excitement and glory. Scarecrow's excellent opinion of himself sets the stage for a variety of silly, yet dangerous, adventures. Run-ins with government officials, soldiers, and unscrupulous business people provide plenty of opportunities for moralizing on the evils of society. In another setting, this story line might seem over-the-top, but Pullman's clever employment of fairy-tale conventions, his superb use of language, and his engaging dialogue make it a wholly satisfying yarn of ridiculous proportions, and Bailey's line drawings provide just the right feeling of long ago that every good fairy tale deserves. Sharon Grover, Arlington County Department of Libraries, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 4-6. Pullman seems equally at home whether creating high fantasy, Victorian mysteries, or old-fashioned stories in the fairy-tale fashion. Here he excels in the latter mode, creating unique characters to charm young readers. When Scarecrow (reminiscent of his relative in the Wizard of Oz) meets orphan Jack, both the boy and straw man see the wisdom of Jack's attending to the scarecrow as a servant. Together the pair contends with "danger . . . followed by glory . . . leading to sorrow" as promised by a fortune-teller. It's Jack who keeps Scarecrow's head on (literally at times) as his master blithely takes a turn on the boards, becomes an officer in the army, and finds treasure on an island, even as he keeps his inner conviction rolled up on a scroll stuffed in his shirt. The umbrella story about Scarecrow's raison d'etre (to rescue his polluted valley from an evil ruling family) is purposive, but its sharp point is cushioned by the flimflam and fancy pervading the tale. Best of all, however, is the charm exuded by Scarecrow and the boy, two memorable fellows who may seem familiar, but are utterly their own. IleneCooper. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

1 Lightning	1
2 The Brigands	12
3 A Story by the Fireside	24
4 The Traveling Players	35
5 Scarecrow for Hire	57
6 A Serenade	71
7 The Misty Cart	83
8 The Pride of the Regiment	96
9 The Battle	111
10 Shipwreck	126
11 An Invitation	147
12 The Grand Congress	161
13 The Assizes	177
14 A Surprise Witness	197
15 A Medical Mystery	213

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.