As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
215 pp.
| Candlewick
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-8951-3$16.99
(3)
4-6
Nine-year-old best friends Sussy and Guy have been inseparable since kindergarten. Then tragedy strikes: Guy is killed in an accident. Sussy takes comfort caring for Matylda, the pet leopard gecko the friends shared. She slowly begins to make new friends, but bad decisions (e.g., stealing from the pet store) derail her healing process. A lyrical text tells the emotional story of a grief-stricken girl.
(3)
K-3
Seedlings: Wild Animals series.
This book in the attractive series provides basic facts about geckos, including their habitat, physical appearance, family relationships, diet, and behaviors. Spare text in large type and bright, eye-catching photos make the information accessible to new nonfiction readers. A concluding spread features an anatomically labeled photo and a couple of close-ups of specific features. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62724-849-5$23.93
(4)
K-3
Weird but Cute series.
Though it offers only barebones information, this book for beginning readers is an accessible introduction to standard features of nonfiction. With large close-up photos dominating the pages, the volume touches on geckos' habitat, diet, care of young, behaviors, and defenses; the "weird but cute" angle isn't a focus. Vocabulary words are printed in bold type and defined in an appended picture glossary. Reading list. Ind.
136 pp.
| Clarion
| December, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-57529-5$14.99
(3)
1-3
Carver Chronicles series.
Illustrated by
Laura Freeman.
Carlos's cousin, Bernardo, is staying with them temporarily, and it's not going well: he doesn't understand how to feed Carlos's geckos, Carlos's papi is bonding with Bernardo over soccer, and Bernardo makes some questionable choices at school. Carlos eventually learns to empathize with his cousin in English's satisfying third book in the series, which focuses on diverse kids at Carver Elementary.
(4)
K-3
Amazing Animals series.
Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of sea turtles and geckos are the highlights of this slim volume. Minimal text touches on habitat, appearance, food, and offspring, and supplies a folk-story answer to a question about each creature (e.g., "Do geckos bring good luck? People in Hawaii have believed this for a long time..."). Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Geckos and Sea Turtles.
(4)
4-6
Amazing Reptiles series.
Using age-appropriate vocabulary and colorful photographs, each title includes five short chapters on the animal's features and behavior, touching on diet, habitat, reproduction, and threats to survival. Common Core–focused sections with reading-comprehension questions, writing prompts, and web links may distract casual readers or researchers. "Fast Facts" and a "Stop and Think" section are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Amazing Reptiles titles: Copperheads, Alligators, Geckos, and Bearded Dragons.
32 pp.
| Amicus High Interest
| September, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60753-485-3$19.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-60753-698-7
(4)
K-3
Lizards series.
Each title in this high-interest series introduces a different reptile in short chapters with eye-catching color photos and age-appropriate vocabulary. Engaging--if not always scientific ("Geckos have super powers")--text details each animal's physical features, diet, geographical location, and reproductive behavior, as well as endangered status and conservation efforts. A sporadic question-and-answer feature adds information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lizards titles: Bearded Dragons, Chameleons, Geckos, Gila Monsters, Green Iguanas, and Komodo Dragons.
104 pp.
| Darby Creek
| April, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-2115-8$27.93
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-2418-0
(4)
4-6
S.W.I.T.C.H. series.
Illustrated by
Ross Collins.
Eight-year-old twins Josh and Danny continue their adventures as test subjects in their neighbor's mad experiment. Miss Potts has developed S.W.I.T.C.H. spray, which temporarily changes people into insects and animals. These undemanding books rely on humor and suspense to capture readers' attention. The black-and-white drawings help bring the preposterous plots to life. There are four other spring 2014 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these S.W.I.T.C.H. titles: Alligator Action, Anaconda Adventure, Chameleon Chaos, Frog Freakout, Gecko Gladiator, Lizard Looppy, Newt Nemesis, and Turtle Terror.
32 pp.
| Amazon
| January, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1477816356$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Deborah Melmon.
During a drought little Gecko perseveres when all the other animals give up trying to stomp their way down to the water underground. When Gecko finally reaches water, Elephant tries to take his moment of triumph away, but all the other animals recognize his accomplishment. Humorous digitally manipulated illustrations enhance this lively tale that invites audience participation.
32 pp.
| Lerner
| February, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-6737-6$25.26
(4)
K-3
Lightning Bolt Books: Animal Look-Alikes series.
Varied close-up and annotated photographs accompany a lively text that compares and contrasts geckos, which are reptiles, with salamanders, which are amphibians. Areas covered include birth and growth cycles, physical differences, and defensive techniques of each species. The colorful layouts are busy but will draw in curious students of nature. Reading list. Glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
Gecko & Sticky series.
Illustrated by
Stephen Gilpin.
In Substitute, Dave's least-favorite teacher disappears mysteriously--only to be replaced by the ominously familiar Dr. Schwarz. Potion finds Dave and pet gecko Sticky tasked with delivering a package to dangerous Damien Black. The series continues to blend broad school-based humor with outlandish fantasy plots in winning, if a bit frantic, adventures. Review covers these Gecko & Sticky titles: The Power Potion and Sinister Substitute.
(4)
4-6
Gecko & Sticky series.
Illustrated by
Stephen Gilpin.
In Substitute, Dave's least-favorite teacher disappears mysteriously--only to be replaced by the ominously familiar Dr. Schwarz. Potion finds Dave and pet gecko Sticky tasked with delivering a package to dangerous Damien Black. The series continues to blend broad school-based humor with outlandish fantasy plots in winning, if a bit frantic, adventures. Review covers these Gecko & Sticky titles: The Power Potion and Sinister Substitute.
110 pp.
| Harcourt
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-15-205494-6$15.00
(3)
4-6
Chet Gecko Mystery series.
Detective Chet Gecko investigates the cause of a massive stink bomb and other unpleasant incidents at school. All clues seem to implicate the friendly janitor, but Chet isn't convinced. The gecko detective's fans will continue to appreciate his humorous narrative voice and running commentary on school life (readers will likely recognize their own schoolmates among the animal-character types).
112 pp.
| Harcourt
| January, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-15-205488-5$15.00
(3)
4-6
Chet Gecko Mystery series.
With Emerson Hicky Elementary's students acting like they're "hopped up on s'mores and sleeplessness," PI Chet Gecko wonders if they've been hit with a Wiccan hex. Or were their lunches spiked by the Munchmeister 2000's inventor or a bitter ex-employee? Chet's nonstop wisecracks and sidekick Natalie's jokes are, per usual, giggle- (and groan-) inducing. Black-and-white illustrations display the animal cast's antics.
(4)
4-6
Gecko & Sticky series.
Illustrated by
Stephen Gilpin.
Dave Sanchez and his sticky-fingered, Spanish-speaking gecko pet star in this series featuring a dastardly villain, ruthless treasure hunt, and Aztec ingots that give their wearer superpowers. The madcap plots sometimes slam on the brakes a little too abruptly, but Sticky's groan-inducing wisecracks help get readers through lulls in the action. Cliffhanger endings will stoke demand for the next series installments. Review covers these Gecko & Sticky titles The Greatest Power and Villain's Lair.
197 pp.
| Knopf
| May, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-84377-8$12.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-94568-7$15.99
(4)
4-6
Gecko & Sticky series.
Illustrated by
Stephen Gilpin.
Dave Sanchez and his sticky-fingered, Spanish-speaking gecko pet star in this series featuring a dastardly villain, ruthless treasure hunt, and Aztec ingots that give their wearer superpowers. The madcap plots sometimes slam on the brakes a little too abruptly, but Sticky's groan-inducing wisecracks help get readers through lulls in the action. Cliffhanger endings will stoke demand for the next series installments. Review covers these Gecko & Sticky titles The Greatest Power and Villain's Lair.
40 pp.
| Holt
| May, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-6559-6$16.95
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Francisco X. Mora.
From a house above Manila Bay, the birds' good-night songs end the day--until the raucous, ungovernable gecko shatters the evening idyll. How to get rid of him? This is the eagle's doing, and it takes some maneuvering--with the suspense and humor of traditional nuisance-routing tales. Climo's telling is fluent and vivid, and Mora's calm, sweeping watercolors let the words register.
Reviewer: Barbara Bader
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2008
118 pp.
| Harcourt
| October, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-15-205482-3$15.00
(3)
4-6
Chet Gecko Mystery series.
The theft of a pearl necklace from his sister's desk gets Chet Gecko all riled up: "No crook had ever picked on my family before...This punk was going down hard, like a skydiving brontosaurus." For Chet's thirteenth case, Hale sticks to his winning formula: loads of animal shenanigans, sassy comebacks, and silly puns. Black-and-white illustrations capture the action.
32 pp.
| August
| October, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-87483-780-4$16.95
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Geraldo Valério.
"Some things you just have to put up with," we learn from this Balinese explication of interspecies connectedness. Gecko complains that the fireflies' lights are keeping him awake, but they're necessary to illuminate Buffalo's poop in the road and that poop fills potholes left by Rain, etc. MacDonald's energetic telling is prime story-hour material, illuminated by Valério's dreamlike, humorous art.
111 pp.
| Harcourt
| October, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-15-205074-4$14.00
(3)
4-6
Chet Gecko Mystery series.
Chet Gecko fears he's lost his "detective mojo" when a rival P.I. cracks his case. Who's the new sleuth in town? "The name's Bland. James Bland." Chet's reputation soon goes from bad to worse: Bland disappears and the gecko's the top suspect--until he collars a kidnapper with a revenge-of-the-nerds mentality. Hale's illustrations play up the zany goings-on.