Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature)
Old Mr. Pandolfo was not feeling well. To make matters worse, there were issues with the soldiers and his cousins, the Buffalonis, who wanted to build a factory to make “weedkiller and rat poison and insecticide.” There was not much he could do about those things, but he could make a scarecrow to get rid of the troublesome birds. When the scarecrow is struck by lightning, it comes to life and finds itself a long way from Spring Valley, old Mr. Pandolfo’s land. In trying to return home the scarecrow meets a young boy named Jack who agrees to become his servant. It is a good thing; for with a turnip for a head and a pea for a brain, the scarecrow needs the help of this clever lad. As in all good fairy tales, the hero must face a series of trials before he can successfully return home. Indeed, after a series of incidents, the scarecrow and his servant find themselves literally in court battling the Buffalonis as to who is the rightful owner of Spring Valley. The scarecrow’s “inner conviction” holds the key. Full page and smaller pen and ink drawings depict scenes from the story and make this inviting for younger readers. This is a terrific read aloud, written with wit and a clever turn of the phrase that had this reviewer laughing over and over again. Loyalty and friendship, environmental concerns, good overcoming evil are all themes that are present but never overwhelm this humorous tale. 2005, Alfred A Knopf, $15.95, $17.99. Ages 8 to 12.

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2006)
Brought to life by a fortuitous lightning strike, a scarecrow engages an orphan named Jack as his servant and the two hit the open road in search of “excitement and glory.” The excitement is easy to find as the Scarecrow’s spirited ideas (which far exceed his brain power) propel the duo from one dramatic adventure to the next. The Scarecrow obliviously creates chaos at every turn, while quick-thinking Jack works feverishly to avert disaster. Much of the story’s humor and delight is created by the Scarecrow’s uninhibited style, whether he’s facing a band of brigands, performing with itinerant actors, or joining a regiment of soldiers in battle. Meanwhile, the Scarecrow and Jack are being pursued by a representative of the Buffaloni family, crooked business owners with a secret motive for wanting to permanently dispose of the Scarecrow. In a hilarious and clever courtroom finale, Jack and a contingent of birds (ironically the very creatures who should be the straw man’s enemies) defend the Scarecrow and expose the Buffaloni’s scam. Despite one last desperate attempt to poison the Scarecrow with a woodworm infestation, the Buffalonis are defeated, allowing Jack and the Scarecrow to happily live out their days. Pullman’s story has all the comfort of a familiar fairy tale, but offers up two fresh and memorable characters. Peter Bailey’s line drawings and a generous font size will help draw in newly independent readers. CCBC Category: Fiction for Children. 2005, Alfred A. Knopf, 229 pages, $15.95 and $17.99. Ages 8-11, younger for reading aloud.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 13))
A pair of valiant adventurers outwits a lawyer and his corporate masters in this comic fairy tale. The Scarecrow has been stolen so often that, by the time it comes to life, it's nowhere near its home in Spring Valley. Together with clever orphan Jack, whom he hires as a servant, the Scarecrow quests for his home. Along the way, he becomes an actor, a lover and a soldier. Each time, the Scarecrow's foolishness is nearly their undoing until resourceful Jack saves the day. But unbeknownst to Jack and the Scarecrow, they're being followed by a lawyer for the wicked Buffaloni family, which wants to turn the Scarecrow's beautiful Spring Valley into a rat poison factory. Luckily, Jack's cleverness and the Scarecrow's kindness (for, though he exists to scare birds, he can't bear to scare a baby bird or its parents) help them defeat the Buffalonis in a thoroughly amusing conclusion. Lightweight for Pullman, but witty, affectionate and fun. 2005, Knopf, 240p, $15.95. Category: Fantasy. Ages 8 to 12. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ann M.G. Gray (Library Media Connection, February 2006)
After being struck by lightning, the scarecrow in old Mr. Pandolfo's field comes to life. Young Jack is taking shelter in a nearby barn and, hearing the scarecrow's cries for help, Jack removes the scarecrow from the pole he's been hanging on. Lord Scarecrow, as he is later known, offers Jack a job as his servant, and they start off on their hilarious adventures. All along the way they stay one step ahead of Mr. Cercorelli, a lawyer working for the dastardly Buffaloni family, which has set up a poison factory in Spring Valley and dried up all sources of water in the area. With the help of Granny Raven, Jack and Lord Scarecrow meet up with the Buffalonis and their lawyers in court to prove that Lord Scarecrow is the rightful owner of Spring Valley. Disaster nearly strikes when the Buffalonis pour termites, woodworm, and deathwatch beetle down Lord Scarecrow's neck, which nearly results in his death. After a complete transplant of stuffing and a new backbone made from a broom handle, Lord Scarecrow is restored to his former good health, and like all good fairy tales, everyone lives happily ever after. This book will appeal to youngsters who like adventure stories with a healthy dose of humor thrown in. Recommended. 2005, Random House Books for Young Readers, 240pp., $15.95 hc. Ages 9 to 13.

Timnah Card (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2005 (Vol. 59, No. 1))
In this original yet folkloric tale, an emotional and easily distracted scarecrow leads his loyal and resourceful servant, Jack, into danger and adventure and finally into safety and wealth. The duo’s cross-country peripatetics land them gigs in acting troupes and tours with military troops and result in escapades with iniquitous brigands and serenades to romantic broomsticks. Tracked all the while by the lawyer for the Buffalonis, the infamous multimillionaire relatives of the scarecrow’s creator, Mr. Pandolfo, the pair finally ends up in court, defending the scarecrow’s right to inherit Mr. Pandolfo’s estate, which the Buffalonis have been exploiting ever since the old man’s death. Silliness and gaiety abound, dashes of tragedy adding piquancy as each short episode develops the scarecrow’s and Jack’s personalities and their increasingly interdependent relationship. Pullman’s witty prose sparkles when read alone or aloud, enhanced by the abundant scraggle-lined black-and-white illustrations (edged alongside the text or inserted demurely at the head of a page). Offer this to readers ready to go beyond “Puss in Boots” to a fresh, lively revisitation of the timeless master-and-servant folktale motif. (Reviewed from galleys) Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2005, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2005, Knopf, 240p, $17.99 and $15.95. Grades 4-6.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2006)
Pullman mixes elements of story like a magician in this picaresque fable of corporate interest thwarted. Brought to life on a thunderous night, Lord Scarecrow--who is more than a little like Don Quixote--and his servant Jack set off on an eventful pilgrimage. Pullman's language has a comic flamboyance and precision; Bailey's line drawings are a charming counterpart to the tale. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2005, Knopf, 229pp, 15.95, 17.99. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Virginia Gleaton (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 18, No. 4))
A scarecrow comes to life during a severe lightning storm. As he begins to understand that he is now real, he realizes that he cannot get out of the mud and walk. It is at this point that he enlists the help of a young boy--a servant. The two have many adventures together and become very dependent on each other. Some of their adventures are accomplished with a little bit of magic and a lot of trickery. This book will entertain kids while teaching some important lessons. It is an interesting adventure book but it does take a little concentration to remember that the main character is a scarecrow! Fiction. Grades 5-7. 2005, Knopf, 229p., $15.95. Ages 10 to 13.