In this installment, fourth-grader Scab McNally decides to run for class president just to spite Missy, who annoys him. He needs a gimmick or stunt to get votes away from his very organized opponent, and his friends dream up a plan to get him to eat whatever kids bring him, calling himself The Human Vacuum. He is also still cooking up trouble in his lab, including a special ice-cream/dog-food treat for his four-legged buddy, Joe. Scab is always getting into hilarious jams with his friends, but he never seems malicious. Paillots zany illustrations appear throughout. This book, with its amusing sidebar secrets and lists, is simple and funny enough to pull in reluctant readers, and youngsters will jump right in and enjoy the humor, fast-paced action, and gross-out moments.
-- Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
- SLJ July 2011
In the latest hilarious story in the Secrets of a Lab Rat series, Scab is running for president of his fourthgrade class, and in his bid to defeat smart teachers pet Missy Malone (Never Missy), he thinks up an incredible stunt. He will swallow any food his classmates bring him, and he pledges not to barf, even when presented with dishes that look like chickenpox scabs with blue-toe cheese. Young grade-schoolers will enjoy every gooey, gross detail, along with the cartoon illustrations that find all the humor in the classroom slapstick and humorous standoffs.
-- BOOKLIST, July 1, 2011