THREE GOOD DEEDS
by Vivian Vande Velde
Harcourt Children's Books
Hardcover: 0152053824
Paperback: 9780152054557
Ages 8-12
160 pages

Howard is a mischievous boy who, along with his friends, likes to pull pranks on the villagers of Dumphrey's Mill. Their latest victim is the supposed old witch who lives by Goose Pond. They find the elderly lady strange due to the fact that she lives on her own and tends to a flock of geese that live on the pond. They do mean things like tease the geese and steal their eggs. When Howard decides to steal from a nest one day, he is caught red-handed and accidentally breaks a couple of the eggs.

Fed up with the boy's antics, the old witch turns Howard into a goose! Howard understandably panics and tries to call for help, but realizes unfortunately that only the witch and her gaggle of geese can understand him. The witch tells the goose-boy that in order to redeem himself and be turned back, he must accomplish three good deeds. Howard thinks that the situation is silly, but quickly realizes the benefits (and disadvantages) of being a goose. From complimenting one of his new feathered friends to escaping poultry-hungry villagers, Howard discovers the person or goose he's meant to be.

THREE GOOD DEEDS is a funny, thoughtful story with a bittersweet conclusion. Readers may be a bit disappointed at the story's sudden ending, but they will enjoy Howard's quest to find his inner golden goose.

   --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle (SdarksideG@aol.com)

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