The Mystery of Silas Finklebean (Freddy and the French Fries Series #2)

by David Baldacci

Overview

In this sequel to "Fries Alive!," Freddy Funkhauser discovers the lab of long-lost scientist Silas Finklebean, along with instructions on how to build a time machine. With Finklebean's help, Freddie is determined to prove himself to bully Adam Spanker.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316033947
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	07/22/2008
Series:	Freddy and the French Fries Series , #2
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	1,058,645
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world's favorite storytellers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 130 million worldwide sales. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at DavidBaldacci.com and his foundation at WishYouWellFoundation.org.

Hometown:

Northern Virginia

Date of Birth:

August 5, 1960

Place of Birth:

Richmond, VIrginia

Education:

B.A. in Political Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1982; J.D., University of Virginia, 1986

Website:

http://www.david-baldacci.com/

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3-6-In this slapdash sequel to Fries Alive! (Little Brown, 2005), the nine-year-old genius and his giant spuds are preparing to compete in the local science fair. They discover a hidden tunnel under the Burger Castle, the Funkhouser family's restaurant, and encounter a weird apparition floating in the air. Deciding that ghosts would make an unbeatable project, they begin to research the Castle's history. They learn that it was once owned by inventor Silas Finklebean, who vanished mysteriously. When they find his laboratory and logbook of plans, they attempt to reconstruct his time machine. Meanwhile, town bully Adam Spanker and his father, owners of the rival Patty Cakes restaurant, are plotting to drive the Funkhousers out of business. Can Freddy and the Fries find a way to save the Castle? The over-the-top action is often difficult to follow and there is little depth of character. The pervasive body and insult humor is reminiscent of a second-grade playground. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations are mildly amusing, but add little. Adult thriller author Baldacci is aiming at Captain Underpants graduates, but this novel lacks both the imagination and the underlying logic of that gleefully anarchic series. Steer readers to Dan Greenburg's "Zack Files" (Grosset & Dunlap) or Jon Scieszka's "Time Warp Trio" (Viking).-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal