Left Behind

Christopher's class is going on a field trip to the aquarium. They take the bus into the city and the subway to the aquarium. Christopher is especially excited about the subway, which he has never ridden before. The ride inbound is funthe car rocks back and forth; the brakes squeal around a corner. But on the way out, the crowd pushes Christopher out of the car and he is left behind. After an initial panic, Christopher gets the help of a transit worker and a policeman, and is reunited with his class. In this most recent of the Christopher stories, the Carricks ( Patrick's Dinosaurs ) expertly create a dramatic situation and portray the inner feelings of a lost child. The illustrations aptly convey the confusion underground, Christopher's stark moments of real fear and the friendly clutter of the police station where his teacher, distraught but reassuring, finds him when the ordeal is over. Ages 5-8. (September)