Module 15 And Tango Makes Three

Bibliographic Citation

Richardson, J., & Parnell, P. (2005). And Tango makes three. New York:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Summary

This is based on a true story about two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo in New York City.  They became a couple except they could not have a baby penguin.  One day their caretaker needed to care for an extra penguin egg.  So he decided to give the egg to Silo and Roy to care for.  The egg hatched and the baby was named Tango.  So Tango was raised by the two male penguins.

Impressions

This was a controversial book when it was published.  It was on the Top Ten Most Censored Books.  I am not offended by this book and I would not be afraid to share this book with second grade and up.  I admire the caretaker of the zoo for trying to help Roy and Silo know what it felt like to be a parent penguin.  Sometimes animals are different from their other same species.  I feel like some people will look at this as a "gay" type book but I see it as trying to help the parental needs of those two penguins.

Suggestions for use in a library setting

1.  Reading to a class doing studies of penguins or artic animals.
2.  Unusual families study.

Reviews

Tango has two daddies in this heartwarming tale, inspired by actual events in New York's Central Park Zoo. Two male penguins, Roy and Silo, "did everything together. They bowed to each other.… They sang to each other. And swam together. Wherever Roy went, Silo went too. … Their keeper… thought to himself, 'They must be in love.'" Cole's (The Sissy Duckling) endearing watercolors follow the twosome as they frolic affectionately in several vignettes and then try tirelessly to start a family--first they build a stone nest and then they comically attempt to hatch a rock. Their expressive eyes capture a range of moods within uncluttered, pastel-hued scenes dominated by pale blue. When the keeper discovers an egg that needs tending, he gives it to Roy and Silo, who hatch and raise the female. The keeper says, "We'll call her Tango,… because it takes two to make a Tango." Older readers will most appreciate the humor inherent in her name plus the larger theme of tolerance at work in this touching tale. Richardson and Parnell, making their children's book debut, ease into the theme from the start, mentioning that "families of all kinds" visit the zoo. This tender story can also serve as a gentle jumping-off point for discussions about same-sex partnerships in human society. Ages 4-8. (June)

And Tango makes three. (2005). Publishers Weekly, 252(20), 61-62.

PreS-Gr 3-- When two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo form a special bond, build a nest, and attempt to hatch a rock, a zookeeper provides them with an egg in need of care, and the devoted fathers happily welcome a fuzzy baby into their lives. Based on a true story, this delightful tale about a unique and loving family is enhanced with endearing watercolor paintings. Book

And Tango makes three. (2006). School Library Journal, 52(3), 9.

PreS-Gr 3-- This tale based on a true story about a charming penguin family living in New York City's Central Park Zoo will capture the hearts of penguin lovers everywhere. Roy and Silo, two male penguins, are "a little bit different." They cuddle and share a nest like the other penguin couples, and when all the others start hatching eggs, they want to be parents, too. Determined and hopeful, they bring an egg-shaped rock back to their nest and proceed to start caring for it. They have little luck, until a watchful zookeeper decides they deserve a chance at having their own family and gives them an egg in need of nurturing. The dedicated and enthusiastic fathers do a great job of hatching their funny and adorable daughter, and the three can still be seen at the zoo today. Done in soft watercolors, the illustrations set the tone for this uplifting story, and readers will find it hard to resist the penguins' comical expressions. The well-designed pages perfectly marry words and pictures, allowing readers to savor each illustration. An author's note provides more information about Roy, Silo, Tango, and other chinstrap penguins. This joyful story about the meaning of family is a must for any library.

Roach, J., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Raben, D. (2005). And Tango makes three. School Library Journal, 51(7), 81.

In this true, straightforwardly (so to speak) delivered tale, two male chinstrap penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo bond, build a nest and--thanks to a helping hand from an observant zookeeper--hatch and raise a penguin chick. Seeing that the penguins dubbed Roy and Silo "did everything together. They bowed to each other. And walked together. They sang to each other. And swam together," their keeper, Mr. Gramzay, thinks, "They must be in love." And so, when Roy and Silo copy the other penguin couples and build a nest of stones, it's Gramzay who brings a neighboring couple's second egg for them to tend, then names the resulting hatchling "Tango." Cole gives the proud parents and their surrogate offspring small smiles, but otherwise depicts figures and setting with tidy, appealing accuracy. Unlike Harvey Fierstein's groundbreaking The Sissy Duckling (2002), also illustrated by Cole, this doesn't carry its agenda on its shoulder; readers may find its theme of acceptance even more convincing for being delivered in such a matter of fact, non-preachy way. (afterword) (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-9)

And Tango makes three. (2005). Kirkus Reviews, 73(11), 642.

Module 14 My Dog, My Hero

Bibliographic Citation

Byars, B., Duffey, B., & Myers, L. (2000). My dog, my hero. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Summary

There are eight short stories about dogs who do remarkable things that make them a hero for someone.  The book is written as if there is a contest to choose My Hero or the best dog hero and there are eight finalists.  The eight finalists tell their stories and the winner is chosen at the end.

Smiley saves a little girl from a bull.  Bear saves another little dog from the icey water.  Munchkin saves a man from the bite of a copperhead snake.  Old Dog saved twenty-six lives after a tornado struck a town.  Buster saved a baby in a stroller.  Blue went and got help when a man had a chainsaw accident.  Little Bit helped a woman in a nursing home.  Dopey saved a baby in a car.  Old Dog is chosen as the winner since he saved twenty six lives.  But the other dogs were all given special awards too. 

Impressions

I was very impressed with each short story.  The stories were based on dog stories from the three authors who were also dog lovers.  I thought when I started the book that I would see if I could chose the dog hero.  But each story was so remarkable that I could not chose the best one.  But I think they made the right choice with Old Dog since he had saved many lives. 

Suggestions For Use in a Library

1.  I think these stories would be good to use if a teacher was working on a writing unit about dogs or heros or community helpers.  I know I was always on the lookout for stories kids could relate too and how I talked to them constatly about their own stories coming from the inside of them.

2.  These stories could easily be compared to a fireman's story of rescue.

3.  Who is the hero in your life?

4. A similar contest would be done with the same dogs or different people or animals.

Reviews

Gr.3-6.  Eight people whose lives are changed by the bravery of dogs tell their stories, which range in tone from humorous to dramatic.  Full-colored illustrations perfectly capture the personalities and actins of the canine heroes.

Lempke, S. (2004). My dog, my hero. Book Links, 13(4), 40.

Gr 3-6 --Byars and her daughters set up this collection of eight stories as though a contest for the "My Hero" award were underway and they were serving as judges. A cross-section of citizens enter, each relating a story of one canine's valiant behavior, from rescuing a baby to restoring joy to a lonely person's life to finding people trapped after a tornado. Happily, not a single dog is lost in the process. The authors provide a distinct voice for each narrator and a distinct personality for each animal while highlighting the common themes of gratitude, admiration, and love. The short-story format and popular topic make this a sound choice for older reluctant readers as well as for younger children. A full-color painting and a cameo portrait of the pet accompany each selection.

Leach, P. (2001). My dog, my hero. School Library Journal, 47(1), 92.

Module 13 Rapunzel's Revenge

Bibliographic Citation

Hale, S. and Hale, D. Rapunzel's revenge. New York: Bloomsbury.

Summary
A graphic novel about a little girl that grew up behind a wall for twelve years.  On her twelfth birthday she climbed to the top of the wall and looked over.  There was desolate land with mine workers.  She remembered when she saw her real mother that she had been stolen and raised by a mean woman who named her Rapunzel.  Mother Gothel's henchman carried Rapunzel for many days to a tall creepy tree.  She stayed there until she was sixteen.  With her long hair she lassoed a tree and escaped to the forest floor and lasoed a boar which she intended to ride back to Mother Gothel and make her pay for her mistreatment.  Along the way she met Jack and Goldy the Goose and they had many adventures getting back to Mother Gothel.  They became outlaws.  They met a jackalope, met indians, fought wolves, and fought a sea monster, helped some miners.  Finally they made it to Mother Gothel's.. But Rapunzel was recognized and Mother Gothel cut off her hair.  Jack plants a magic beanstalk and Mother Gothel is captured in her own magic tree.Rapunzel finds her mother, Jack kisses her and tells her he loves her and Goldy lays the golden egg.


Impressions

A great book that I think would appeal to a boy or a girl.  It is a good adventure story that keeps the reader wanting to turn the page to see Jack and Rapunzel's next ordeal.  It could be compared to the typical Rapunzel story and also all the other hints of fairy tale or tall tale similarities.

Suggestions for use in a library setting

1.It could be used during a unit of the west because many of the characters and situations depict the old west adventure.  In the library it could be shared chapter by chapter.
2. Make a list of other fairly tales or tall tales referred to in the story.


Reviews

Gr 5-8-- In this action-packed, graphic-novel reincarnation, Rapunzel escapes her tree-tower prison and winds up in a Wild West saloon, fighting alongside a goose-toting Jack (think Beanstalk). Together, the two brave danger, save the world from evil, and fall in love. Whew! BOOK

Rapunzel's revenge. (2009). School Library Journal, 55(3), 9.

The popular author of Princess Academy teams with her husband and illustrator Hale (no relation) for a muscular retelling of the famously long-haired heroine's story, set in a fairy-tale version of the Wild West. The Hales' Rapunzel, the narrator, lives like royalty with witchy Mother Gothel, but defies orders, scaling villa walls to see what's outside--a shocking wasteland of earth-scarring mines and smoke-billowing towers. She recognizes a mine worker from a recurrent dream: it's her birth mother, from whom she was taken as punishment for her father's theft from Mother G.'s garden. Their brief reunion sets the plot in motion. Mother G. banishes Rapunzel to a forest treehouse, checking annually for repentance, which never comes. Rapunzel uses her brick-red braids first to escape, then like Indiana Jones with his whip, to knock out the villains whom she and her new sidekick, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), encounter as they navigate hostile territory to free Rapunzel's morn from peril. Illustrator Hale's detailed, candy-colored artwork demands close viewing, as it carries the action--Rapunzel's many scrapes are nearly wordless. With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody. Ages 10-up. (Sept.)

Rapunzel's revenge. (2008). Publishers Weekly, 255(31), 63.

Gr 5 Up-- This is the tale as you've never seen it before. After using her hair to free herself from her prison tower, this Rapunzel ignores the pompous prince and teams up with Jack (of Beanstalk fame) in an attempt to free her birth mother and an entire kingdom from the evil witch who once moonlighted as her "mother." Dogged by both the witch's henchman and Jack's outlaw past, the heroes travel across the map as they right wrongs, help the oppressed, and generally try to stay alive. Rapunzel is no damsel in distress-she wields her long braids as both rope and weapon-but she happily accepts Jack's teamwork and friendship. While the witch's castle is straight out of a fairy tale, the nearby mining camps and rugged surrounding countryside are a throwback to the Wild West and make sense in the world that the authors and illustrator have crafted. The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after.

von Wrangel Kinsey, C. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. School Library Journal, 54(9), 215.

Module 12 Home on the Range

Bibliographic Citation

Hopkinson, D. (2009). Home on the range. New York:  G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Summary

John Avery Lomax loved singing as a small boy.  He sang all the time as he did his work and chores.  He lived along the Old Chishom Trail and cowboys often stopped at his house and they sang as they did their cowboy duties..  So he started to write down the cowboy songs he heard.  Eventually John went to the University of Texas.  Finally he became a teacher and later went back to school at Harvard.  He decided to do a paper on old ballards and wrote to newspapers from the west asking people to send him their songs.  John received hundreds of replies.  He finally presented his paper to his class and everyone cheered.  So next he decided to write a book and gather the songs from cowboys actually singing them.  John traveled around and recorded and wrote down songs.. Some of these songs are some that are still sung today like Home on the Range.

Impressions

I enjoyed reading this book even if it was historical fictional.  It was based on a real person John Avery Lomx and his love of cowboy songs.  People like him are very remarable to have followed their dream of writing down the songs of those years and know that they would be saved and shared for many others to enjoy in the future.  I have always been an admirer of cowboys and love to talk and read about them.

Suggestions For Use in a Library

1. I would share this book with third and up during  rodeo time of the year.  Sometimes classes visit the rodeo during school and I might suggest that they listen to see if they heard any cowboys singing near the animals at the rodeo.

2. Try writing a class song or a little cowboy poem on your own.

Reviews

With the flair for which she is known, Hopkinson (Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek) chronicles the early life of John Avery Lomax, a pioneer of folk musicology who got his start collecting cowboy songs. The colorful narrative devotes several spreads to the song collector's childhood in Texas. Glimpses of his thoughts and emotions (e. g, "The songs went straight to John's heart, and he made up his mind to write down each and every cowboy song he heard") as well as dialogue help personalize the story. Short, chapter-like segments begin with lyrics from cowboy songs, like "Poor Lonesome Cowboy," although it may take a more sophisticated reader to connect the songs' themes with Lomax's life. Schindler's (The Story of Salt) realistic illustrations, painted with a light touch in muted hues, ably capture the expressions of skeptical cowboys ("I'm not goin' poke my face up to your blamed old horn and sing," says one at the sight of Lomax's Ediphone) or the eagerness with which Lomax goes about his work. Concluding author notes read more like a standard biography and sketch out Lomax's later years. Ages 6-8. (Jan.)

Home on the range: John A. Lomax and his cowboy songs. (2008). Publishers Weekly, 255(50), 54

Interspersing her narrative with verses from "Home on the Range," "Sweet Betsy from Pike," "The Old Chisholm Trail" and like cowboy chestnuts, Hopkinson retraces the early career of the greatest collector and recorder of American folk songs ever. Taking minor liberties with the historical record (and compensating with a detailed afterword), she follows him from rural Texan childhood to the halls of Harvard, and then back out onto the trail, where, with a notebook and a primitive "Ediphone," he gathered verses and performances from anyone who would sing for him. In Schindler's atmospheric illustrations a dapper young man mingles comfortably with brushy-mustached, Stetson-topped cowpokes--and sits in one scene with a colorfully clad fortuneteller--in settings that are mostly wide, outdoorsy spreads of western prairie. Capped with a fuller picture of the work of Lomax and his son Alan, as well as enticing source notes, this account can't help but broaden the insight of little dogies everywhere into the histories and meaning of these enduringly popular songs. (Picture book/biography. 7-9)

Home on the range: John A. Lomax and his cowboy songs. (2008). Kirkus Reviews, 76(22), 1201.

Gr 1-4-- This lovely picture-book biography of the noted musicologist describes his youth in Texas where he enjoyed singing as he worked on the family ranch and he listened to cowboys singing as they traveled the old Chisholm Trail. Lomas taught for a few years, but his passionate interest in music won out and led him to become an extraordinary collector of folk songs. Beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations radiate warmth, charm, and humor, highlighting expressive features and striking individuality. The handsome artwork is full of energy and authenticity, and includes faithful and appealing renditions of animals and bucolic landscapes. Excerpts from some songs appear prominently. Addendum material includes additional details about Lomax, his family, and their legacy; information about the Library of Congress archival collection of songs; and a list of other sources.

Cutler, K. (2009). Home on the range: John A. Lomax and his cowboy songs. School Library Journal, 55(1), 92.

Module 11 Off Like The Wind

Bibliographic Citation

Spradlin, M. (2010). Off like the wind! The first ride of the Pony Express. New York: 
      Walker & Company.

Summary

This is the story of the first run of the Pony Express.  It is a day by day account and if a certain rider is known for his part in the ride they are named in this account.  The riders encounter stampeding buffalo, indians, wolves, snowstorms, drought, and other dangers.  Included is a map of the route and a timeline of events of the beginning history of the Pony Express establishment.  The author has written notes to explain the limited documented information.  There are suggestions for further reading, a bibliography, websites for young readers, and additional websites for more information on the Pony Express history.

Impressions

I was very impressed with the timeline and route and the extra author's notes with suggestions on additional readings and websites.  The illustrations are outstanding and colorful and for me really capture the spirit of the Pony Express.  Wouldn't those people then be amazed with how fast we send and receive email compared to their eleven days for Pony Express mail.

Suggestions for use in a library setting

1.  Short enough to read in the library as an introduction or review of what exactly the Pony Express was about.
2.  Good discussion on the riders's hardships, what kids think about being one of those riders or living during that time.


Reviews

Gr 2-5--This colorful and accessible picture book recounts the day-to-day adventures of Pony Express riders on the first transcontinental mail delivery system, from St. Joseph, MO, to Sacramento, CA. The book opens with a map of the overland route, a time line of major events in the Express's short-lived history (1860-1861), and a quote from Mark Twain's Roughing It. On the unprecedented journey, which took roughly 11 days, riders faced extremes in weather, buffalo stampedes, wolves, and encounters with Native tribes. The straightforward text in combination with the larger-than-life panoramic oil spreads capture the romance, excitement, and danger that riders experienced along the trail. An author's note explains that truth and legend are often intertwined when researching the Pony Express due to the destruction of records upon the cessation of service. Balancing the right amount of information with lively narrative, this book could easily be used in a history unit or as a general interest title.

Bryant, M. J. (2010). Off like the wind! The first ride of the Pony Express. School Library Journal, 56(2), 102-103.

In this rousing, as-historically-accurate-as-possible recreation of the Pony Express's first ride, Spradlin introduces readers to the crazy-wild brainchild of three businessmen to expedite mail over the near-2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Calif. Accompanied by Johnson's artwork, which has the energy of rolling thunder and the colors of a sunset, and with an engaging sense of drama and urgency, the author follows the riders over the varied landscapes they covered, through the heavy weather they encountered and past the occasional hostile reception they received from Native Americans (though his bell-clear author's note clarifies that hostilities were rare). When he can introduce factual material--the names of riders, the number and character of station stops, the price of $5 for 1/2 ounce--he does so with a light hand to keep the pedagogy at a distance. For all its iconic status, the Pony Express lasted for only a year and a half before the transcontinental telegraph drew a sleeve across its windpipe, but it was an inventive enterprise full of bodacious frontier spirit, which this book plays to the hilt. (bibliography, further reading, map, timeline) (Informational picture book. 7-10)

Off like the wind!: The first ride of the Pony Express. (2010). Kirkus Reviews, 78(4), 156.

Gr. 3-5. Basing his book, as much as possible, on scanty historical records (the author suggests

that files may have been deliberately destroyed after the short-lived company's collapse to present

lawsuits), Spradlin re-creates the Pony Express' first rides east from Sacramento and west from

St. Joseph, Missouri-naming riders and horses when he can, and providing a composite of various

Express riders' adventures. Johnson heightens the drama with evocative full-bleed oils depicting

riders galloping away from cheering crowds and snarling wolves, ducking an arrow, trudging

through a snowstorm, and in a particularly exciting scene, struggling not ot go down amid

stampeding buffalo. For collections that don't already contain Gare Thompson's Riding With the

Mail (2007) or one of the plethora of similar titles, this makes a good introduction for budding

fans of the Old West, and provides a stimulating prelude tomore deailed histories, such as Tim

McNeese's The Pony Express: Bringing Mail to the American West (2009). An afterword, lists

for further readin, a map, and a time line round out the book.

Peters, J. (2010). Off like the wind!: The first ride of the Pony Express. Booklist, 106(10), 76.

This title serves several distinct purposes. First, and most obvious, it teaches young readers about

the Pony Express and its significance. Also, the story combined with the author's note teaches an

early lesson about academic integrity. Lastly, the problems that the Pony Express riders

encounter on their journey will teah students about overcoming obstacles. Teachers or librarians

could easily pose questions to students about what they would have done if they were the rider

that had to fight off wild animals or Indians. The inside front cover and back cover both contain

a map of the Pony Express route and a timeline of the important events surrounding the Pony

Express. Along with the author's note, readers will find suggestions for further reading, a

bibliography, and a list of websites where they can find more information.

Off like the wind! The first ride of the Pony Express. (2010). Library Media Connection, 28(4), 85.

Module 10 Hattie Big Sky

Bibliographic Citation

Larson, K. (2006). Hattie big sky. New York: Delacorte Press.

Summary

Hattie is only sixteen and has lived with various relatives most of her life.  She decided to go to Montana and take up her late uncle's homestead claim.  She is unaware of how truely hard this life was going to be with having to finish the fence and plant 40 acres before time is up.  With the help of her closest neighbors she is able to survive wolves, a snowstorm, a family trying to buy her out, death, loneliness, and just daily life.  Some of her story is told through letters she writes to a boy who is across the ocean during wartimes.  We really learn how life was like during these times of living in a soddy house and trying to start a homestead.  Hattie is a person we can admire for being brave and working hard.  She looses the homestead and has debts to pay at the end of the book. but we realize that she will survive and perhaps in time meet up with the boy she wrote all the letters to when he returns from the war.

Impressions

This book was well deserved for the Newberry Honor Award.  I felt like I was right there struggling with her as I was reading.

Suggestions For Use in a Library

1.  Read parts of the book to interest others in a historical type fiction book about learning how people of long ago lived.
2/. Read a chapter with every visit to the library with a quick discussion.

Reviews

Gr 6-8 -Larson relates a heartwarming yet poignant story about homesteading in early-20th-century Montana. Until the age of 16, orphan Hattie Brooks lived with whichever relative needed extra household help. Then she receives a letter telling her of an inheritance from her Uncle Chester, whom she had never met. Hattie is to receive his land claim, the house and its contents, one horse, and one cow. When she arrives from Iowa, she learns that she has 10 months to cultivate 40 acres and set 480 rods of fence, or lose the claim. While the story relates the hardships of frontier life and how Hattie "proved up" to the challenge, it also tells of World War I bigotry and discrimination toward German Americans. Hattie's sense of humor, determination, and optimism come through in her letters to her friend Charlie, who is serving in the military in France, and through letters to her Uncle Holt, which are published in his hometown newspaper. Larson's vivid descriptions of the harshness of the work and the extreme climates, and the strength that comes from true friendship, create a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered. Hattie's courage and fortitude are a tribute to them.

Morrison, S. (2006). Hattie big sky. School Library Journal, 52(11), 140.

What dreams would lead a 16-year-old to leave her safe home in Arlington, Iowa, and take a chance on a homestead claim in Montana? Hattie Brooks, an orphan, is tired of being shuttled between relatives, tired of being Hattie Here-and-There and the feeling of being the "one odd sock behind." So when Uncle Chester leaves her his Montana homestead claim, she jumps at the chance for independence. It's 1918, so this is homesteading in the days of Model Ts rather than covered wagons, a time of world war, Spanish influenza and anti-German sentiment turning nasty in small-town America. Hattie's first-person narrative is a deft mix of her own accounts of managing her claim, letters to and from her friend Charlie, who is off at war, newspaper columns she writes and even a couple of recipes. Based on a bit of Larson's family history, this is not so much a happily-ever-after story as a next-year-will-be-better tale, with Hattie's new-found definition of home. This fine offering may well inspire readers to find out more about their own family histories. (acknowledgments, author's note, further reading) (Fiction. 12-15)

Hattie big sky. (2006). Kirkus Reviews, 74(17), 906.

In this 2007 Newbery Honor title set in 1918, 16 year-old orphan Hattie Brooks inherits a Montana homestead from her late uncle.  She has less than one year to "prove up" the claim.  Through a series of letters and first person narrative, Hattie tells her story. Potter delightfully narrates the novel, which is by turns amusing, frightening, and deeply sad.  She varies her accent mildly to distinguish the characters and changes tones slightly to reflect subtle differences between Hattie the narrative and Hattie the letter writer.  Potter also does a lovely interpretation of Hattie's expressive speech patterns, easily showing the teen's emotions, ranging from sad to confused.  Filled with memorable characters and events, this is historical fiction at its best.

Miculek, S. (2007). Hattie big sky. Booklist, 104(1), 144.

Module 9 The Mystery of Mr. Nice

Bibliographic Citation

Hale, B. (2000). The mystery of Mr. Nice. New York: Harcourt, Inc.

Summary

This was a Chet Gecko Private Eye Mystery.  When the principal is nice to Chet, he realizes there is something wrong.  With the help of his friend, Natalie, they discover that the new janitor and a new teacher are fake as well.  All three were trying to turn the school into a school for crooks.  Natalie and Chet with the help of Popper find Mr. Nice the real principal.  They call the police and catch the crooks at the PTA meeting and save the school.

Impressions

Chet Gecko is quite a character.  He is not your average student, but just likes to be a detective.  Chet likes to solve some mysteries with his best friend Natalie.  They usually end up into some sort of trouble.  The book is one of other Chet Gecko books and is very kid appealing.  All the characters are animals and that makes it fun and likeable for kids.

Suggestions For Use in a Library

1. I think it could be read aloud at least in two library settings.  It would be a good book to get kids interested in mysteries. 
2. A discusion about friends, what makes a good friend.  Post sayings on bulletin board that says A friend is ......

Reviews

Gr 4-6 --Humor is the outstanding element of this fast-paced mystery set in an elementary school. Chet Gecko is a sleuth who also deems himself to be an artist. He is caught drawing in class and is sent to the principal's office for discipline. However, something is strange about Mr. Zero's behavior. Chet and his sidekick Natalie, a mockingbird, soon discover that he is an impostor who is plotting to turn Emerson Hicky Elementary into a vocational school for crime. Ultimately, the young detective and his friends save the day. Told from Chef's point of view, the story is filled with corny jokes, clever wordplay, and amusing asides. The action keeps on moving and there is lots of suspense. The droll, black-and-white cartoon drawings add to the fun. A good choice for fans of gumshoe adventures.

McNeil, S. (2000). The  mystery of Mr. Nice.  School Library Journal, 46(12), 145.

Fourth-grade gumshoe Chet Gecko and his smart sidekick, Natalie Attired, search for a missing

 chameleon in the first whodunit, and follow up their suspicions that the principal is up to

 quirky comedy." Ages 8-12. 

Zaleski, J. (2001). Fiction reprints. Publishers Weekly, 248(18), 80.