Town Bell

It seems J.T. and Mickey will never learn. This summer they've decided to break the record (for the most original pranks) of the immortal Judd and Howie. They begin their quest by setting off cherry bombs in their sixth-grade classroom, then progress to dropping dummies (mannequins) from overhanging trees in front of California tourists and continue by placing cracker balls under the Sunday school chairs of the senior citizens. Unfortunately, their next prank goes very wrong. During a game of Town Bell, they lock a friend/rival, Weird Willie, in English stocks. Unfortunately, when they return to release him, Willie has vanished. Set during the Cold War of the 1950s, with Soviet espionage looming as an ominous backdrop, this also is an era when society is more tolerant of juvenile pranks. Sheriff Meecham, however, is getting fed up with the boy's shenanigans and threatens if they don't produce Willie soon, he'll charge them with murder. Includes Readers Guide.