Internationally bestselling author-illustrator, Liz Pichon, delivers quite the story in Shoe Wars. Super-villain, Wendy Wedge, has taken over Shoe Town (renaming it Wedge Town) and proceeds to stomp all over anyone she comes across. It is absolutely absurd but quite funny how she punishes people and what she gets away with. They are few and far between but you’ll love (and will be cheering for) the characters who have the cleats to stand up to Ms. Wedge.

Every chance she gets, Pichon throws in references to footwear from the towns’ and characters’ names to the chapter titles and everything you can imagine. Between the puns and illustrations, Pichon gives us plenty to giggle about. The mystery side of things is similar to Andrew Clover’s Rory Branagan Detective and the word play might remind you of Geronimo Stilton: Slime for Dinner. Shoe Wars has everything one could ask for–great characters, surprises, mysteries, and a satisfying ending–easily slipping into five stars.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic Press (A Scholastic Imprint)

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Few (6) brief incidents including verbal threats; references to character dying from snake bite; dogs attacking; character getting stung; light property damage.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Death.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None