Mr Majeika

Another title that started life a Kestrel Kite (see also Bright-Eye and Conker). Bright and well-paced story about a wizard of a supply teacher who can turn the naughtiest child in the class into a frog, or a vampire. Realistic-sounding children and a suitably bewildered headmaster who certainly get some realism into his lesson on the Force of Gravity when the children learn to fly like Superman! Lively, literate fun for sevens to nines from a writer who has read enough children's books to develop a good ear for dialogue and a strong visual sense. The latter's helped by a characterful cover and illustrations. Not to be missed.