Chapter book readers will enjoy the pranks and predicaments friends and families face in Ted Staunton’s new Monkey Mountain Books series. Two False Moves introduces the small community of Hope Springs, Monkey Mountain, and the kids from Doberman School. The story focuses on Nick, a rhymer, who’s under a lot of pressure. His family’s rented home is up for sale, his Dad’s employment is uncertain, and everything’s going wrong at school. It’s the last straw when he discovers he has to work on a school project with “lucky” Lindsey whose parents may be buying Nick’s home.

Staunton, author of picture books and the Greenapple Street Gang series (a.k.a. the Maggie and Cyril books) for slightly older readers, has good childhood recall, an empathetic understanding of children, and a knack for recreating their dialogue. In Two False Moves, he introduces middle readers to familiar and comfortable characters who worry about the readers’ own familiar and not-always-comfortable concerns. While it’s clear he loves fun, Staunton keeps the book’s age-appropriate humour in check, wisely framing rather than overriding the story’s serious messages. Ten serviceable black and white line drawings by Roger Lafontaine illustrate the book. The last two, unfortunately, contradict the text they accompany.

Two False Moves can stand alone and will appeal equally to boys and girls. As the first of the Monkey Mountain Books, however, it has added value for children who like series continuity. And for those who can’t wait for the next installment, the news is good. The series launch also includes The Monkey Mountain Monster and Forgive Us Our Travises (Books 2 and 3).