Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?

by Avi Narrated by Jeff Woodman, John Randolph Jones

Overview

A fast-paced, madcap adventure--with a fresh new cover treatment--from the always surprising raconteur, Avi! It's the spring of 1945 in Brooklyn, and while WWII rages in Europe, sixth grader Frankie Wattleson--inspired by the heroics of The Lone Ranger and other radio show idols--sets out to right the wrongs of the world. Frankie is so caught up in his superhero stories that he becomes convinced the tenant renting his brother's room is a mad scientist. Can Frankie and his trusty sidekick, Mario, save the world from an evil genius? Or will Frankie's mother pull the plug on their schemes before they can save the day? Told exclusively through dialogue and radio excerpts, this fast-paced story shows off Avi's versatility and incomparable storytelling skills.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

As expertly crafted as Avi's Nothing But the Truth , this lightning-paced satire set during WW II shows how Franklin D. Wattleson, a superhero fan, creates his own brand of adventure when taking on the identity of ``Chet Barker, master spy.'' With best friend Mario, 12-year-old Frankie stirs up considerable excitement and trouble carrying out his plot to dispose of evil scientist Mr. Swerdlow (the Wattlesons' upstairs boarder) and marrying off brother Tom (a wounded vet) to sixth-grade teacher Miss Gomez (whose fiance was recently killed in action). Ignoring continual reprimands for neglecting homework and snooping into other people's affairs, Frankie manages to complete his mission successfully. Nostalgia buffs in particular will be drawn to this book, which contains segments of old-time radio serials and commercials. Besides providing much hilarity, this ingeniously structured montage of broadcasts, fantasies and conversations exposes many ironies of heroism and war. Ages 9-up. (Sept.)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6It's 1945, and when Frankie isn't re-enacting his favorite radio dramas, he's spying on a "mad scientist" who has rented a room in his parents' house. Touching, funny, and totally original, the story is told completely through dialogue and excerpts from old programs. (Oct. 1992)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170733927
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	03/15/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One

Episode One

"And now...

"Ovaltine--that superdelicious drink that builds bright minds and strong bodies eight ways--presents...

"'The Radio Adventure Hour'!

"You are about to hear a series of strange, exciting, and perilous adventures that will lead us to all parts of the world.

"But first, we take you to France. The war has reached a moment of crisis. The Allied army is close to terrible destruction.

"In a small, bombproof dugout the light of a candle flame flickers across the strained face of a general of the Allied army. Outside, the night is dark and cold. Suddenly, we hear--"

"Major Steel?"

"Sir, everything is prepared."

"You I ve found the man?"

"I have."

"What is his name? No! It s better that I don't know."

"I agree with you, sir."

"There are only two people in the world who know the mission to which he has been assigned. You and our leader in Washington."

"Yes, sir."

"Major, do you think he has a chance?"

"I'm afraid the odds against him are about one hundred to one."

"If he fails, it will be terrible for us all. It will--But enough of that. Bring him in."

"Yes, sir."

"Wait! I don't want to see his face. Blow out the candle."

"Yes, sir."

"Now bring him in."

"Yes, sir. Will you come in, Captain? The man is before you, sir."

"You have your instructions?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I want you to be sure you understand the risks you are facing.

"I do."

"If you fail tonight, it will be the end for all of us. If you are successful, our country will be saved from defeat.Do you understand?"

"I do."

"Also, if you succeed tonight, you will have started a long and perilous task that, if you live, may require your lifetime to complete. Is that clear?"

"Yes, General. Very clear."

"Above all, you understand that the ultimate purpose is the extermination of the most rascally and menacing criminal in the world! A traitor to the United States! A Rend who has cost the lives of thousands of your countrymen! I am speaking of the one known as...Ivan Carr." "I understand."

"You are ready to go?"

"My plane stands outside the door."

"Good. How long do you think it will be before we know the outcome of this night's venture?"

"Sir, if I've not returned by midnight, you will know I've failed."

"You are a brave man, Captain. Now, Godspeed."

"Thank you, sir."

"And so, into the night roars a plane piloted by a lone man upon whose shoulders rests the fate of his country.

"Hours later--"

"AW, MA! Turn the radio back on! The show's almost over!"

"Frankie, you're supposed to be doing homework, not listening to garbage!"

"Ma, it"s not garbage. It's 'Captain Midnight . ' Please! Can't I just listen to the end of the program?"

"That's all you're interested in-radio. Now get up to your room. Seat! Go on!"

"I'm going."

"All this racket....Your father will be home tired and upset."

"He's always tired and upset."

"Young man, in case you didn't Iknow it, there's a world war going on. There"s a service star in our window."

"Just means family's in the war."

"Frankie! Your brother got wounded fighting for your freedom."

"What about the freedom to listen to the radio?"

"Franklin Delano Wattleson, do you want me to destroy that radio?"

"No!"

"Then go up to your room immediately and do your homework for once!"

"Do you know when Tom's coming home?"

"When he's well enough. Now, go!"

"I'm going."

"And be quiet. Mr. Swerdlow is studying."

"He went out."

"I don't care where he went."

"HEY, MARIO! Psst! Mario! Open your window! I have to talk to you."

"I'm doing my homework."

"You're always doing your homework."

"Yeah, well, we're supposed to."

"Oh, boy, you're so lucky to have a radio in your room. Wish I could."

"What do you want?"

"Did you hear 'Captain Midnight'? It was about how he began."

"I was doing my long divisions."

"That mean you finished your math?"

"Sure."

"I was going to. But 'Sky King' came on and he was being chased by giants. Then 'Captain Midnight.' It was so great I forgot about my math ."

"Frankie, I gotta go. My mother wants me to have my schoolwork done by the time she gets home."

"Mario! Wait!"

"What?"

"What about geography? You get the principal products of Australia?"

"Yeah."

"Hand them over."

"You know, one of these days when I pass my homework to you, it's going to drop between the buildings.

"I'd go down and get it."

"What if it were night and it was dark?"

"Streetlamp shines through."

"Or your glasses broke."

"I'd feel my way."

"Anyway, how come I'm the one that always does the homework?"

"'Cause you're the one that gets the A's."

"So?"

"I don't get them in anything."

"Miss Gomez says you're a daydreamer. And Billy says you're setting a world record for being kept in after school. Thirty-eight times."

"None of his beeswax."

"Miss Gomez knows you copy my work."

"How come?"

"She asked me."

"Gee whillikers, you told?"

"Well, she wanted to know why we always have the same answers. So I said we live in these houses with rooms and windows opposite, so we work together. Then I said your father works two jobs. That your brother got wounded in the Pacific and will be home soon. That your mother takes in a boarder whose name is Mr. Swerdlow, who's studying to be a doctor."

"Why'd you tell her all that?"

"She asked me."

"Nosey Parker...Hey, Mario...

Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?. Copyright © by John Avi. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

Videos