Frederik Sandwich and the Earthquake that Couldn't Possibly Be

by Kevin John Scott

Overview

An earthquake? No. It couldn't possibly be. There absolutely shouldn't, wouldn't, and couldn't be an earthquake on Frederik's Hill.

That's what Frederik Sandwich thinks when he's woken by shaking with no explanation on one otherwise ordinary night.

But something has caused it and he's determined to find out what. The problem is no one will talk about it. The entire town claims the earthquake didn't happen. Except, that is, for Pernille, an odd new companion, who has announced, annoyingly, that she won't leave his side until the mystery is solved.

And this mystery is so much more than they bargained for. It will lead the two outsiders through abandoned train tunnels, into hidden library rooms, and to shadowy Municipal Hall in the dead of night, as they strive to figure out what caused the rumblings under their town.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492667995
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	01/01/2019
Series:	Frederik Sandwich , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kevin John Scott grew up in England and has lived in other peculiar places. His book is about one of them. Today he lives near Seattle with his hilarious wife, their whirlwind son, some trees, and an occasional bobcat. Visit him at www.kevinjohnscott.com.

Editorial Reviews

"This eerie book is reminiscent of Lemony Snicket in its characters and plot line and sure to be a popular title! This one is a must for elementary readers who want an engaging book that will take them on a wild ride and leave them on edge waiting for more." — School Library Connection, Highly Recommended

"Outrageous twists and timely truths abound in British author Scott’s debut novel, first in a planned series. Frederik confronts his own assumptions and finds the courage to challenge the status quo in this quirky and jokey mystery." — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2017-10-10
Frederik knows the Earth shook; why won't anyone talk about it?On Frederik's Hill, many businesses and many more people are named after King Frederik. Frederik Sandwich's immigrant parents wanted to fit in, thus his name. Unfortunately, that didn't work; 11 years later, the xenophobic neighborhood kids ostracize him despite his native-born status and the white skin he shares with them. When the Earth shakes and no one will talk about it, Frederik's thrown together with dark-skinned, white-haired, adopted Pernille, who is similarly ostracized and who can't seem to call Frederik by his very common name. Can the two foil a plot to murder Her Ladyship the Mayor? Though Scott's frequent, clever wordplay shows his great promise, this series starter is a glacially paced mess. Outsider status does nothing to make either main character likable. Pernille's habit of calling Frederik different foodstuffs instead of his name will annoy more than just Frederik from the outset, and Frederik himself is panicky and shrill in a most unfunny way. The characters make wild, unfounded assumptions that do little but confuse. Though the characters learn to accept themselves, the message of inclusion never gets delivered. And finally, the world built for this yarn comes across as neither original nor interesting.Clunky title, clunkier tale. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews