The Ministry of S.U.I.T.s

Gr 4–6—Jack is constantly curious about everything, especially some odd happenings at his middle school. His misfit best friend, David, is the complete opposite. When the mean P.E. teacher punishes forgetful students by making them wear used, stinky, stained, and tight uniforms plucked from the creepy Box of Spares, Jack becomes convinced that the previous owners of these clothes were kidnapped. Also intriguing is a sinister new school sponsor who presents the school with puzzling gifts, including a wind turbine, new carpets, and polyester uniforms that look identical to the old. The same strange day, Jack's curiosity is rewarded by a job offer from Mr. Grey of the Ministry of Strange, Unusual, and Impossible Things (S.U.I.T.s), an organization that deals with creatures that no one believes exist anymore, such as pirates, dinosaurs, and zombies. He hopes by joining up he can solve the mysteries at his school. He almost changes his mind when he finds out that he needs to partner with scary fellow student "Moody Trudy." But he is impressed when he sees her demonstrate a Ministry technique in which she walks on the ceiling and defeats her foes with incredible acrobatics. Jack realizes that by making himself as miserable and unhappy as possible, he, too, can learn the Speed technique. Jack and Trudy's prowess comes in handy when they are attacked by half-man, half-lizardlike creatures; giant moles; and a steam-powered bone dinosaur. Gamble's debut novel is overflowing with offbeat humor, though the numerous footnotes and Ministry Handbook entries can be distracting and break the flow of the otherwise swift-moving plot line.