Mr. Chickee's Messy Mission Book

The Flint Future Detectives are back in another hilarious adventure that s filled with more gizmos and gadgets. Steven and his best friend Russell are back! When Russell's dog, Rodney Rodent, jumps into a mural to chase a demonic-looking gnome and disappears, the Flint Future Detectives are on the case. With the secret password (Bow-wow-wow yippee yo yippee yay!) Steven, Richelle, and Russell enter the mural too, only to find the mysterious Mr. Chickee on the other side. To find a way out, the detectives must complete a mission--finding Rodney Rodent. And that means they're in some wild adventure! As Steven says, "I second that emotion."

Publishers Weekly

Infused with the same high energy found in Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, this second installment of the Flint Future Detectives series offers even zanier adventures with mixed results. Steven Carter and Russell Woods allow a new member into their sleuthing clan: Richelle Cyrus-Herndon, "the smartest kid at Clark Elementary," whose intelligence is as irritating (at least to Steven) as it is useful. The trio's first mission is to find the whereabouts of Rodney Rodent, Russell's tiny lost dog, who Russell believes disappeared inside a "horrible, frightening" mural advertising Vernor's ginger ale. Following the canine's path, the children soon find themselves entering an alternate universe where Steven's dear friend, Mr. Chickee, is waiting to greet them. According to Mr. Chickee, the magical place he calls "Ourside"-which holds as many surprises as Alice's Wonderland-is in danger of dying, and it's up to the Flint Future Detectives to prevent such a disaster. The novel's fast-paced action, hip dialogue, wacky characters and tangential commentaries (including some gentle jabs at J.K. Rowling) add some spice, but occasionally readers may find themselves yearning for fewer gimmicks and more connections between seemingly random events. Ages 9-12. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.