CHET GECKO’S DETECTIVE HANDBOOK (AND COOKBOOK)

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CHET GECKO’S DETECTIVE HANDBOOK (AND COOKBOOK)

Name: CHET GECKO’S DETECTIVE HANDBOOK (AND COOKBOOK)
Author: Bruce Hale
ISBN: 0-15-205288-7

TIPS FOR PRIVATE EYES AND SNACK FOOD LOVERS

by Bruce Hale ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2005

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Any aspiring sleuth or fan of the Chet Gecko mystery series (starring the “finest lizard detective at Emerson Hicky Elementary”) will appreciate the tips, activities and recipes outlined in this irreverent, illustrated handbook to detective work. A mix of amusing misinformation, such as, “Surveillance comes from the French word surveiller (meaning ‘hiding behind a fake schnozzola’)”; questionable advice such as, “Use a bribe that motivates your suspect. Strangely enough, not everyone goes for chocolate”; and sound suggestions like “Never take on a wacko for a client,” this goofy, oft-frivolous guide is also valuable for a child genuinely interested in espionage. Easy-to-learn tricks of the trade, such as the intriguing “shopping list” code and old stand-bys like the spy-hole newspaper, pepper the handbook that covers everything from obtaining clients to evidence gathering. A boilerplate detective license, search warrant and office sign (“Private Eye: No case too small, no snack too big”) are included in the back. Bonus: Practicing private investigators can flip the top-bound handbook over and write notes on the conveniently lined sheets—tricky for libraries, but the entertainment of the rest far outweighs this issue. (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-15-205288-7

Page Count: 288

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2005

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
ELVIS IS MISSING
by Bruce Hale ; illustrated by Luke Séguin-Magee

- BOOK REVIEW
SUPER SANTA
by Bruce Hale ; illustrated by Guy Francis

- BOOK REVIEW
SWITCHED
by Bruce Hale

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NINTENDO ROLE-PLAYING GAMES

by Christopher Lampton ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1991

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A how-to book, designed to help players with some previous experience master eight of these popular video games. Lampton has written more than 45 nonfiction books, including the companion Nintendo Action Games (neither is endorsed by Nintendo). The games discussed here include Faxanadu, Hydlide, Shadowgate, Ultima, and Dragon Warrior; each is considered under the following categories: ``At a Glance,'' ``Quick Review,'' ``How It Works,'' and ``Tips & Tricks.'' The author also reveals some shortcuts or passwords useful to the less-experienced player. Our 13-year-old expert liked the general introductory hints on how to play, but found the descriptions of specific games skimpy and the illustrations merely decorative. Recommended reading, including periodicals; index. (Nonfiction. 9-12)

Pub Date: April 15, 1991

ISBN: 1-878841-25-4

Page Count: 72

Publisher: Millbrook

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1991

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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THE WEATHER SKY

by Bruce McMillan & illustrated by Bruce McMillan ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 15, 1991

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The effects of the simplest weather fronts and the clouds associated with them throughout the year. Warm and cold fronts are shown using the symbols made familiar by TV meteorologists; a handy cloud-classification chart shows the shape and height of common clouds. Each page includes a carefully selected photo of the sky and cloud cover, a vertical cross-section drawing of the clouds with their height in both feet and miles, and a line drawing showing the fronts. The photos were taken in an area of Maine called ``thunderstorm alley.'' An attractive, useful guide. Glossary; brief index. (Nonfiction. 10-12)