4.5 stars Knocked down half a star for the shooting at the end. As crazy as she can be, it didn't make sense for Binny to try to get someone hunting a fox to think she was a fox.
Not the laugh-riot of the previous book, although I have at least one coworker who will testify to my being extremely disruptive while I was reading it in the break room and cackling. I still really liked the story; the animal-lover in me liked it especially.
The shifting back and forth in time is something McKay has done before, and it takes some getting used to, but I grew very fond of the Penrose children, and I liked how their story tied in with Binny and Clare's story, and how Binny explained it to Clare.

"That's what stories are made of," said Binny. "They join up and you get a new one."

James is still full of crazy notions and does not want to be kissed, Gareth is impossible and wonderful (I loved it that David Attenborough is included on his list of the 4 people he likes), Clem is the best sister anyone could have and their mother is loving and long-suffering. It was fun to visit these characters again, and I hope there will be many more stories of the Cornwallis family. ( )

While getting bullied at school, twelve-year-old Binny investigates the disappearance of her brother's chicken and tries to save an endangered lynx. ( )

Retitled to 'Binny keeps a secret' in later printings. No idea why. ( )

library copy ( )