Reviews for Gollywhopper Games

The average rating for Gollywhopper Games based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2008-07-25 00:00:00 Holly Puckette This is one of the most fun and easy to recommend books I've read in a long, long time. It's like a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for a new generation, set in a toy factory, rather than chocolate, and with much more satisfying games. Gil is trying his hardest to get into The Gollywhopper Games, a contest sponsered by Golly Toy & Game Company. The winner gets all kinds of money and great prizes, but what Gil is hoping to win is some self-respect. His dad used to be an employee of Golly but he was wrongfully accused of stealing and the family's life has never been the same. Gil figures if he can win the games, he can save their reputation...or have enough money to leave town. The Gollywhopper Games is a trivia, puzzle, and stunt contest based on toys and games that Golly sells. Who better to win than someone who's known the company forever? The games themselves are a kaleidescope of colors, giant toys, pulsing lights, and fantastic and imaginative trials. It's a fast-paced read with terrific characterizations. You even root for the other kids, not just Gil. This is the perfect read to end your summer vacation.

Review # 2 was written on 2020-07-02 00:00:00 DARREN BUTZELAAR Found while looking for more like Encyclopedia Brown. Turns out it's more like a cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. There are definitely some solvable puzzles in here, and a nice story too (though it is a contemporary fantasy, just as Dahl's classic was). I liked that the author showed how the teamwork was effective at helping the kids become better, braver, more decent people. I liked how the kids weren't all the same age, too. I liked the extra details, like how Gil got in line late because he honorably finished mowing a lawn after a rainstorm delayed the job, and how Gil's family has a in-joke routine bit-of-business of echoing synonyms. I will read the sequels, for both the story and the puzzles.