Brought to life by a fortuitous lightning strike, a scarecrow engages an orphan named Jack as his servant and the two hit the open road in search of “excitement and glory.” The excitement is easy to find as the Scarecrow’s spirited ideas (which far exceed his brain power) propel the duo from one dramatic adventure to the next. The Scarecrow obliviously creates chaos at every turn, while quick-thinking Jack works feverishly to avert disaster. Much of the story’s humor and delight is created by the Scarecrow’s uninhibited style, whether he’s facing a band of brigands, performing with itinerant actors, or joining a regiment of soldiers in battle. Meanwhile, the Scarecrow and Jack are being pursued by a representative of the Buffaloni family, crooked business owners with a secret motive for wanting to permanently dispose of the Scarecrow. In a hilarious and clever courtroom finale, Jack and a contingent of birds (ironically the very creatures who should be the straw man’s enemies) defend the Scarecrow and expose the Buffaloni’s scam. Despite one last desperate attempt to poison the Scarecrow with a woodworm infestation, the Buffalonis are defeated, allowing Jack and the Scarecrow to happily live out their days. Pullman’s story has all the comfort of a familiar fairy tale, but offers up two fresh and memorable characters. Peter Bailey’s line drawings and a generous font size will help draw in newly independent readers. (Ages 8–11, younger for reading aloud)

Jack is caught up in a series of fantastic adventures with an incorrigible Scarecrow when he agrees to become Scarecrow’s servant. Scarecrow had been made by Mr. Pandolfo, who was fighting to save his lands from his rogue cousins, “the Buffalonis.” But Scarecrow is stolen from his field and, then, miraculously comes alive when struck by lightning. Pursued by a lawyer for the Buffalino family, Scarecrow and Jack become embroiled with brigands, traveling players, and soldiers not realizing that hidden inside Scarecrow is the will that entitles him to inherit Mr. Pandolfo’s Spring Valley. 2006 USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Books List, 2005 Nestlé Smarties Book

Originally published by Doubleday Great Britain, in 2004.

A tattered scarecrow stands in the middle of a muddy field, taking no notice of the violent thunderstorm around him. But when a bolt of lightning strikes him, fizzing its way through his turnip head and down his broomstick, the Scarecrow blinks with surprise-and comes to life.
So begins the story of the Scarecrow, a courteous but pea-brained fellow with grand ideas. He meets a boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant. Leaving behind his bird-scaring duties, the Scarecrow sets out for Spring Valley, with Jack at his side. As the valiant Scarecrow plunges them into terrifying dangers-battles, brigands, broken hearts, and treasure islands-he never realizes he's being followed by the one family who desperately wishes he'd never sprung to life. Will the Scarecrow discover the secret to his past before the crooked Buffalonis close in on him?