School Library Journal-Rezension

Gr 4-8-Becker Drane has the coolest job. He's a Fixer in The Seems where all the functions of the world are controlled, such as sleep, weather, and nature. Most of the time the departments control these function according to The Plan, but when there is a problem, a Fixer is called. Becker, 12, is the youngest of 37 active Fixers, and he lives an ordinary life with his little brother and parents in New Jersey until he is called to The Seems to undertake a mission: to fix a glitch in the Department of Sleep that threatens to destroy the workings of the world. Luckily, he has expert training, a tool belt full of helpful devices, and his seventh sense that will help him locate the fast-moving glitch. After many frustrating failures, including breaking the Rule of Thumb by interfering with someone's dream, the boy is able to track down and capture the glitch with an invention he calls The Helping Hand. Oliver Wyman narrates all the voices, including several diverse foreign accents, in this science fiction novel (Bloomsbury, 2007) by John Hulme and Michael Wexler. There are many interruptions to the action, such as flashbacks and glimpses into what is happening to various people around the world, sometimes making the tale drag a bit. Upper elementary and middle school science fiction fans will enjoy this light-hearted tale.-Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.