Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Middle Grade Review: Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor

http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/kid-lit-blog-hop-43/22066928  


Title: Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor
Author: Julie Anne Grasso.  2014, 135 pages
Source: Free review e-book

Summary:
When his favorite cousin Kat disappears from Enderby Manor, 10-year-old Frankie Dupont, sleuth-in-training, is on the case. He has to deal with dubious and devious characters at the Manor, not to mention the bumbling Inspector Cluesome, before the final dramatic race to save Kat in time.

Review:
This was a fast, fun read! Frankie is an engaging character, and the story is well plotted to keep the interest of even reluctant readers. There is just a touch of the absurd, with just-over-the-top characters, and a dash of fantasy.  I went into this expecting another realistic kids-and-school type book, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was something a little different. The book does require a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but as the story develops and moves farther from the every-day, that becomes very easy.

The book is well edited, and illustrated with fun line drawings that depict key moments in the story. My main reservation is that Frankie has an awful lot of chutzpah, and I kept waiting for him to stumble. Things went just a little too smoothly for him, I think, but that is in part due to the short-and-simple nature of a book intended for younger middle-grade readers.

Recommendation:
Kids who enjoy mysteries (I was going to say Encyclopedia Brown and the Hardy Boys, but I might just be showing my age a bit) should enjoy this. Some might be a bit put off by the fantasy elements, but as many will probably be drawn in by them, given the popularity of fantasy just now.  I would class this as early-middle grade, for kids maybe 8-10 or 11, and probably very good for reluctant readers as it is written fairly simply and moves fast.

Full Disclosure: I was given a review copy of Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor by the author, in exchange for my honest, not my favorable, review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

9 comments:

  1. Glad I've already written my review - it'll be out 30 August. I agree with you entirely :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) Always good to know--I respect your opinion! (You must be good, because we so often agree :D).

      Delete
  2. Thanks so much Rebecca for taking the time for my book. And yes, I have plans to make Frankie less perfect in the next book, he he, I do have a tendency to write very capable characters, but I am amending that as we speak. Thanks again, cheers Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure, Julie! I also tend to write characters who are too capable or have things too easy. Must be wish-fulfillment or something :D

      Delete
  3. I love books that sounds like "Clue" :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There! That's the right comparison.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. I think that would be an excellent book for reluctant readers! Love the mystery element! Thank you for linking it up at the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

    Maria
    www.musicteachingandparenting.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Maria! Yeah, it comes in manageable bites and I think is pretty easy reading.

      Delete
  5. Thanks for sharing your review Rebecca! So glad you enjoyed it! :-)

    ReplyDelete

We want to hear from you! Tell us your reactions, or whatever's on your mind.