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kerridv's review against another edition
1.0
Stupid, condescending, and not Grabenstein's usual quality. My kids aged six and ten both hated it and we didn't make it through the first chapter.
lmplovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Crime-caper mystery with enough irreverence to appeal
kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This book was just so clearly written for middle grade who don’t have a sense of things. I suppose I could see them enjoy the kookiness of it. If you have a third or fourth grade who is interested in trying out a mystery novel, you might give this a shot. Adult readers would be not interested.
jamestomasino's review against another edition
1.0
I know this is middle grade at best but the reoccurring abuses of police power as a mechanism for the plot rubbed me the wrong way. I don't think there's any reason to normalize it in cutesy kid fiction.
I tried, really, to dismiss it and enjoy the rest of the story and perhaps if there was just one instance of it that might have worked. Instead it riddled the whole thing.
I'm the end I had to stop. This audio drama is only 4 hours but I couldn't last.
From what I did hear the acting was pretty decent, if cartoonish. That seems to match the feel of the story though. No complaints with the production.
I tried, really, to dismiss it and enjoy the rest of the story and perhaps if there was just one instance of it that might have worked. Instead it riddled the whole thing.
I'm the end I had to stop. This audio drama is only 4 hours but I couldn't last.
From what I did hear the acting was pretty decent, if cartoonish. That seems to match the feel of the story though. No complaints with the production.
storytimereviews's review against another edition
4.0
A fun-loving book for young readers grades 5-7. Part crime, part comedy. Sort of reminds me of a mixture of Scooby-Doo and Fernius and Ferb. Riley Mack, the main character, defends "those who cannot defend themselves” with a group of other "known troublemakers." He always tries to do the right thing but it sometimes requires breaking the law in order to expose/catch the bad guys (an oxymoron). Cute, fun-loving adventure.
maureenrenee's review against another edition
4.0
This was a free audible original and is probably geared best toward early middle school kiddos or even younger. But I loved it! It's performed with a whole cast, and the sound effects, etc. had me laughing out loud. If you have kids in that age range, I highly recommend you listen to this on your next road trip!! Super cute and well performed!!💕
lalaguse's review against another edition
4.0
My 6th grade class and I listened to this book on audible and it was a highly enjoyable read for us with many students giving it a 5-star rating.
The book includes fun villains who all have terrible events happen to them in the end.
My 4-star rating comes due to the ending of the novel. It was very like the Harry Potter ending in that instead of leaving what could have been a great ending alone, they had to make the ending kitchy by telling what happened to each character in the future. In defense of Harry Potter, that was after a reader invested time in 7 incredible books, and with this read it is after only one book.
The book includes fun villains who all have terrible events happen to them in the end.
My 4-star rating comes due to the ending of the novel. It was very like the Harry Potter ending in that instead of leaving what could have been a great ending alone, they had to make the ending kitchy by telling what happened to each character in the future. In defense of Harry Potter, that was after a reader invested time in 7 incredible books, and with this read it is after only one book.
amymarie3's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic story that my boys loved! I loved the fact that the family was strong and connected even though the father was deployed.