About This Book
Reach for this book when you have a reluctant reader who thinks books are boring or when your child is in a 'toilet humor' phase that makes you roll your eyes. This high-energy mystery validates a child's sense of humor while providing a surprisingly fast-paced adventure about a boy who notices something wrong when others don't. While the surface is full of bogies and bums, the heart of the story focuses on a young protagonist taking initiative and being brave in the face of a strange, slightly creepy disappearance. It is a perfect choice for kids aged 7 to 11 who need a hit of pure entertainment to bridge the gap between picture books and more serious middle-grade novels. You might choose it as a 'fun' reward book that actually builds significant vocabulary through its witty and descriptive prose.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is secular and treats its 'scary' elements with a heavy dose of absurdity. While there is a theme of elderly people being targeted or involved in the 'generator' plot, it is handled with slapstick comedy rather than genuine ageism or malice. The resolution is triumphant and silly.
