The Misfortune Cookie (Zack Files, 13)

Rating:
Summary: What's in your cookie?
Review: "The Misfortune Cookie" combines a short novel by Dan Greenburg with illustrations by Jack E. Davis. Number 13 in the "Zack Files" series of books for young readers, "Cookie" exemplifies the series' excellent blend of humor and paranormal storylines.

In "Cookie," New York schoolboy Zack discovers that a strange condition has resulted in a weird gift (or maybe curse): all the fortunes he gets in fortune cookies come true. The resulting revelation has an unsettling effect. Greenburg uses humor to thus explore some compelling metaphysical questions.

"Cookie" is definitely one of the stronger entries in this consistently entertaining series. Greenburg creates some fun supporting characters (most notably Yoda-like Chinatown sage Grandma Guy) and fills the story with clever, memorable details. And it's all superbly complemented by Davis' hilarious drawings.