refreshing jolt of humor? Maybe because it seems to be written by an ingenious kid who's looking for a few good ways to get into trouble. Maybe someone just like Jason Fox himself!

In fact, cartoonist Bill Amend has perfectly captured the adolescent sensibility in his cartoon strip FoxTrot. Portraying the family-oriented adventures of one wild suburban household, Amend addresses situations kids encounter-both serious and fanciful-with a deftly on-target, humorous touch.

In Come Closer, Roger, There's a Mosquito on Your Nose, the Fox family is in full comical force. The family's lead instigator, 10-year-old Jason, continues to contrive skirmishes involving his 14-year-old sister, Paige, but he also spends ample time with his computer and his pet iguana, Quincy.

Paige, the unwitting target of Jason's jokes, survives in style, heading off to the mall or plotting a major flirtation in cahoots with her friend, Nicole. Elder son, Peter, 16, has his own interests: cramming for a test, wooing his girlfriend, Denise, and helping his dad with a chore or two. Through it all, parents Roger and Andy strive to hold down the fort while dealing with their own challenges, from work to weight loss to the computer.