This highly imaginative and very clever read for middle graders combines mystery, suspense, action, and humor. The zaniness will appeal to readers and it moves at a decent pace. There is loads for kids to enjoy: mythological creatures, illustrations, time travel, bad guys, an evil cereal company with bad intentions, and much more. Kids will root for the hero/heroines who are, in their real lives, outcasts and unpopular. Scott moves to a new city with his sister and his mom after his mom has broken up with her boyfriend. Scott's new friends and sidekicks, Erno and Emily, are extremely smart girls. Some of the humor and references (Trix Bunny, Legend of Arthur, and general word play) are quite witty and will definitely amuse adult readers but may go over a young reader's head. At four hundred pages, it might be a bit long for some younger readers, but would make a great read aloud at home. Not only is Cold Cereal very wholesome and engaging, but parents and their children can go at their own pace and enjoy it together. Fans of this book should not despair about all of the loose ends left hanging at the end, as this is the first book in a planned trilogy.
