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Overview
Grammar school-it's all about eating and sleeping. Well, for Chet Gecko, anyway.To Chet, nothing is more divine than a plate of Mrs. Bagoong's Mothloaf Surprise followed by a sweet bit of shut-eye on the playground. (Besides a few Pillbug Crunch bars and a monthlong holiday, that is.)
In these two hilarious mysteries from Chet's tattered casebook, he and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, must catch a cafeteria thief, foil the sinister plans of a weaselly zombie master . . . and still take part in the Nations of the World PTA assembly. (Fourth-grade detectives get no respect.) 5 X 7-1/2. Black-and-white illustrations
Author Biography: Bruce Hale is the author of five picture books as well as the Chet Gecko mysteries. A popular speaker, teacher, and storyteller for children and adults, he was awarded a Fulbright grant in 1998 to teach storytelling and to study folklore in Thailand. He lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Someone is turning the students at Emerson Hickey Elementary into zombies, and it's up to fourth-grade private eye Chet Gecko to find out who.
Synopsis
Hardboiled lizard detective Chet Gecko tackles his fourth hilarious case.
Children's Literature
If you like phrases such as, "Waldo couldn't hypnotize anyone¾he couldn't put his own foot to sleep if he sat on it," this series is for you. Fans of Chet Gecko, 4th grade gumshoe, most likely are ready for the next installment in the adventures of this lizard detective and his mockingbird sidekick, Natalie. A far cry from the Hardy Boys, the protagonist here, by his own claim, is "the best lizard detective" at Emerson Hicky Elementary. He and his partner get themselves in and out of jams. A metaphor is appropriate here but you will get all you want in this chapter book that will put a smile on adults faces and laugh out loud noises from kids. In this particular case, Chet and Natalie's job is to find out why their classmates, one by one are turning into teacher's pet zombies. As they proceed with their investigation, adult jokes will go over the heads of kids, but the "gross" out humor and relentless punning will bring kids back to this series over and over again. Teachers of reluctant readers take note—kids will take to this book like a hen to a field of chicken feed. (I just couldn't resist!) 2001, Harcourt, $14.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Kathleen Orosz
Editorials
From the Publisher
Raves for the Tattered Casebook of Chet GeckoThe Chameleon Wore Chartreuse
"Mystery fans will get a kick out of this new series, which features a clever, wisecracking fourth-grade . . . lizard."—Family Life
The Mystery of Mr. Nice
"Hold on to your fedoras: this gecko's going places."—Kirkus Reviews
Farewell, My Lunchbag
"A Raymond Chandler/Woody Allen literary blend in a fourth-grader/gecko guise. . . . Fodder for budding criminologists and stand-up comedians."—School Library Journal