| CHET GECKO Series by Bruce Hale
When I was a kid, I had two huge fantasies. Fantasy number one was to be a detective. I was an avid reader, so I devoured any mysteries that came my way. Far better than one mystery, though, was the discovery of a series of books based on one detective. I read every Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Happy Hollister book.
My second fantasy was to be laugh-out-loud funny. As much as I enjoyed my mystery series books, there was a major element lacking in them: humor. In fact, mad reader though I was, I don't remember finding any absolutely hilarious books for kids back then.
Well, times have changed --- for the better. Author Bruce Hale gives us an entire series of chapter book mysteries starring Chet Gecko. Chet is a 4th grade detective and a comedian with attitude. He's also a lizard! Chet loves two things in life: solving mysteries and devouring dessert. He talks like an old-time detective:
"Kids talk. They say I'm someone who can solve mysteries.
They're right. I can.
Who am I?
Chet Gecko --- Private Eye."
The first book in the series, THE CHAMELEON WORE CHARTREUSE, introduces us to Chet and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired ("nattily attired" --- get it?). It sets a wacky tone --- ridiculous puns, groaner jokes, and bug-filled menus, not to mention mysteries. Throughout the series, the silly synonyms fly faster than a spitwad storm in a substitute teacher's classroom.
In this feature, you'll learn more about the Chet Gecko books and the author who has written them, take a fun quiz, and more!
--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)
|
