Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Synopsis
The latest addition to the best-selling children’s series finds third-grader Robert making a successful presentation on George Washington, complete with white wig and false teeth; taking a fun ski vacation with his family (where the false teeth mysteriously reappear and even start talking, thanks to a walkie-talkie); and worrying about an impending move. Upon his return to school, he investigates the disappearance of Sally the snake from the classroom. Has she been kidnapped? Clues lead Robert and his friend Paul to the school’s dark basement, where they discover a surprising solution to the mystery. As always, Barbara Seuling’s easygoing, conversational style and Paul Brewer’s amusing drawings portray the adventures of this imperfect but appealing child in an encouraging manner perfectly tuned to the needs and interests of young readers.
Susan Hepler, Ph.D. - Children's Literature
The sixth book of Robert adventures has the third grader learning to ski and snowboard in Vermont as he vacations with his pal Paul on a Presidents' Day holiday. When the boys return to school, their class pet snake is missing and a mysterious note from someone named Dian leads them astray. These gentle stories are just right for young independent readers and the many small episodic subplots make the nineteen short chapters satisfying to slower readers as well. Brewer's stylish black and white illustrations have a quirky humor and warmth that give the story charm and continuity with the other volumes in the series. More challenging than the "Bailey School" and "Polk Street" series, on about the same level as the "Adam Joshua" stories, and with a happy reference to Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Shiloh for clued-in readers, this series entry is a winner. 2003, Cricket Books, Ages 7 to 10.