Clueless McGee

Publishers Weekly

Author/illustrator Mack (Frog and Fly) moves into middle-grade territory with an illustrated diary-style offering à la Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate. The story of hapless would-be detective P.J. McGee unfolds through letters the fifth-grader writes to his father, who P.J. believes is a private eye away on a secret mission. P.J.’s father’s absence (which goes unexplained in this series kickoff, though P.J.’s mother doesn’t seem too happy about it) adds a poignant note to what’s otherwise a slapstick story. When a tray of macaroni and cheese goes missing from the school cafeteria, P.J. takes the case (not that anyone asked). Along the way, P.J. gets gum stuck to his head (multiple times), the principal winds up covered in said mac and cheese (multiple times), and the janitor gets stuck in a bucket (twice), among other recurring gags and pratfalls. The repetition gets old, and readers don’t get much of a sense of the supporting cast, though Mack’s wonderfully kidlike cartoons really embody P.J.’s rambunctiousness, enthusiasm, and—yes—cluelessness. Ages 8–10. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, East West Literary Agency. (Aug.)

Children's Literature - Sarah Raymond

Poor PJ really is a clueless fellow, but this only adds humor to the tale that he tells. PJ a fifth grader writes daily letters to his father "a secret spy" and fills them with complimentary illustrations about his life at home. All is well until Mrs. Browny's famous macaroni and cheese goes missing. Since he is a spy in training and has mastered the super ninja moves, he takes it upon himself, along with his friend Dante, to find the missing macaroni and cheese. As PJ looks for clues to the missing mac and cheese, he runs into one mishap after another. All signs point to the classroom bully as the culprit even though he claims he is innocent. In the end PJ or rather Dante solves the mystery of the missing macaroni and cheese and all is finally at peace in PJ's world. Mack has created a hilarious story with a protagonist that many young boys can connect with and relate to. His simple but humorous illustrations add to the story line and understanding of PJ's character and daily dilemmas. Reviewer: Sarah Raymond

School Library Journal

Gr 3–5—Fifth-grader P.J. McGee's father is a private eye who travels a lot; through a series of hilarious handwritten and illustrated letters to him, P.J. relates his adventures at school and at home. The boy fancies himself a private eye (and a ninja), so when the ever-popular mac and cheese goes missing from the cafeteria, he appoints himself to the case. His outlandish quest to find the bandit entails shrinking the principal's suit in the dryer, getting locked in the janitor's closet, and having more than one run-in with paint and chewed gum. Despite often finding himself the accidental victim, particularly in situations involving his teacher, the principal, and the school nurse, P.J. manages to succeed in catching the thief, much to his classmates' glee. P.J.'s goofy, good-natured personality shines throughout the book. "Wimpy Kid" fans will be thrilled to find this book on the shelf.—Amanda Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

Kirkus Reviews

Listen up frog-smackers, PJ McGee is ready to solve any mystery! Fifth-grader PJ McGee wants to be a private detective like his father, who is away on a SECRET MISSION (or at least that's what PJ thinks). PJ knows he'll make a great detective because he has been studying ninja moves; plus, he's incredibly brave, amazingly fast and has a brain five times as big as normal. When PJ's favorite school lunch (mac and cheese…he's written a love song to lunch lady Mrs. Browny's cheesy mac) turns up missing, PI PJ is on the case with his trusty sidekick, third-grader Dante. PJ follows the clues (even though he is sure school bully Jack B is the culprit). Then Jack hires PJ to clear his name! Only a super detective like PJ could solve such a sticky case. Illustrator Mack's first foray into the cartoon-driven chapter book will be well received by the clueless and the clue-full alike. Each chapter's a letter from PJ to his absent father detailing progress on the mac-and-cheese case. PJ is charmingly out of touch with reality. His supporting cast--needy little sister, long-suffering mother, mysteriously absent father and a quirky collection of teachers--adds to the laughs. The scribbly cartoons and illustrations are part of the tale and parcel of the fun. Happily, returns to Woods Road Elementary are assured, thanks to the big "1" on the spine. (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 8-10)