School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-The inhabitants of the Pond are alarmed when humans move into the old house nearby. Unlike the gentle creatures in Robert Lawson's Rabbit Hill (Viking, 1944), these animals are a militant lot. Spurred on by General Santo Domingo, a power-hungry crow, the Alliance Elders advocate all-out war. Salamander Mooch and the younger critters, however, prefer peaceful coexistence. When the General pilots his dive-bombing squadron against the new family, the animal kids launch a counteroffensive to stop the crows. During the battle, 11-year-old Oliver captures Mooch. Although the boy has never had much empathy for animals, he enjoys caring for his new "pet." Then, he uncovers a strange gem hidden in the attic and finds that it allows him to transform into an animal. Oliver, who has never had a real friend, finds one in Mooch, who gains self-confidence as he introduces his new companion to amphibian life. When the two learn that the General plans to use the anti-human campaign for his own evil schemes, they must unite humans and creatures for mutual defense. Considerable doses of humor leaven this ecological adventure. The Alliance members waver between their natural frog-eat-fly instincts and their need to work together. There is snappy dialogue, lots of slime jokes, and body humor. Readers will appreciate the combination of serious issues and funny moments.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Using a magic gem that allows him to turn into any creature he touches, Oliver befriends a salamander and a crow, learns about the local animals' distrust of humans, and becomes embroiled in a maniacal crow's devious schemes. The story follows too many characters and story lines, but it has winning moments, as when Oliver turns his animal friends into humans. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4-7. An array of animal neighbors lives around a pond located near an abandoned house. In an effort to keep humans from moving into the house, the animals have formed an uneasy alliance. Then a family occupies the house and can't be chased away. Oliver, the 10-year-old boy in the family, is the type of kid who enjoys torturing insects, but when he finds an unusual gem that has the power to transform him into an animal form, his outlook changes. In the course of the story, Oliver shape-shifts into a variety of creatures, and he helps stave off a power grab among the animal kingdoms. Frequently funny and exciting, Silberberg's suspenseful, vivid story delivers insights into the dependence of small creatures on the understanding of their human neighbors. --Todd Morning Copyright 2005 Booklist