Publisher's Weekly Review
In Depression-era Pittsburgh, a "Know-It-All" kid finds a segment of Santa's naughty list, organizes a diverse crew of his listed compatriots, and sets out to petition the end of Christmas coal-saving Christmas and unionizing elves along the way. Narrated unreliably by the group's "Liar" ("The secret to making up stuff is to give your stories a hint of truth"), and funded by the wealthy "Brat," the journey progresses with madcap speed as the band of nine (or so-the number changes throughout in a running gag) heads to Santa's Workshop by rail, dogsled, and boat. En route to meeting an autocratic, holiday industry-obsessed Santa, they flee a Russian truant officer, fall in with gold-toothed rumrunner Mummy Rummy, and begin to move beyond their bad-seed monikers ("Cruel" and "Hooligan" among them). With as many laughs and double-crosses as befits a band of naughty-listers, the tale offers raucous holiday adventuring with a gentle political bent. "Nine for one, and one for nine." Ages 9-12. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.