When Matthew Martin wins an unusual prize at a school raffle, his mother insists he get rid of it. Instead, Matthew secretly keeps his pet alligator, Albert, in a large pond in the backyard. Albert becomes an unusual accomplice in several adventures. "Then the bag of tools, and finally the man climbed out of the window and stepped to the ground. Except, instead of the ground, he stepped into Albert's wide-open jaws." Matthew's Uncle Bob is a dentist and a practical joker. After pulling Albert's abscessed tooth, he decides to use the alligator in an exhibit at the dental show. Uncle Bob tells everyone that Albert is a stuffed alligator. But television reporter Nora Snively isn't so sure. "She was sure she had heard Albert burp, and she was sure she had a fabulous news story. If only she could prove it was alive and not stuffed." Matthew and Uncle Bob know they have to keep Albert a secret, but they're not prepared for Nora Snively. Determined to discover the truth, Nora trespasses in the Martin's backyard. "My class of fourth and fifth graders loved, "Here Comes Albert."" Mr. Eric Rise, Simons School, San Jose, California