What I’m Reading: Mr. Puffball, Escape from Castaway Island, by Constance Lombardo

It takes nothing away from the first two books in the Mr. Puffball series to say that the third installment, Mr. Puffball: Escape from Castaway Island may be my favorite—possibly because in this third book, Constance Lombardo is working with what amounts to a well-seasoned ensemble cats cast, a crew of Hollywood veterans and up-and-comers whom readers of the series have come to love.

Castaway may also qualify as the most topical book of the series: where the first two stories paid homage to classic movies of the past (the first took up the age-old story of a kid from the sticks looking to make it big in Hollywood, the second took Mr. Puffball on the road in  a hilarious remake of the traditional buddy movie), the third takes its cue from reality television, with Mr. Puffball and his friends roped into a Survivor-type scenario. As they’re forced to do their Robinson Crusoe best in order to win the grand prize and the possibility of reviving their lagging careers, Mr. Puffball and his friends are forced again and again into a choice between their dreams of stardom and their close-knit community.

Such a premise may sound a little adult, but Lombardo’s storytelling and dialogue are pitch perfect for middle-graders, the product of someone who knows her audience and pays careful attention to her craft. Her drawings, too—funny and detailed, action-packed but full of sly humor—never fail to connect. (Many humorous books for kids promise a laugh on every page, but Lombardo’s artwork and writing delivers.) At the same time, however, a group of friends choosing connection and empowerment over money and stardom makes for a beautiful and compelling story in a world where even kids can fall prey to our celebrity-obsessed culture. Castaway Island, like all the other books in the Mr. Puffball series, is absolutely worth a trip to the library or bookstore.