This book was an interesting read. If I were Bartleby, I would be quiet, too. I can imagine children enjoying predicting what Bartleby's first word will be. It might also be a good read-aloud to parents at Back to School Night, to tell them to hush and LISTEN to their children.

Well-reviewed by Horn, SLJ, and Kirkus, this title does have merit --- it provides us with a moral, some action, and a pay-off for the suspense. However, overall, the story and illustrations are really not quite special enough to merit purchase of this picture book. ( )