Recently, I was given the opportunity to read a manuscript that had not yet been published. The Kickstarter had already been fulfilled, and the author was working toward the next step. Since then, the book has been picked up by a publisher and should be out soon! (You can preorder if you'd like!)
Dewey Mac and the Case of the Dog Gone Dog features 12-yr-old Dewey McClain, a lover of science and math and invention...and not yet lover of girls. "Dewey Mac", as he's known by his friends, is a typical sixth-grader; he is terribly annoyed by his sister, he thinks his teacher is strange, he has a paper route... But Dewey has something else that's quite unique-- the ability to conceptualize and make whatever he needs in a certain situation.
This talent comes in handy as a mystery unfolds in Dewey's community. Together with his friend (new kid Ched, who is often the comic relief to Dewey's seriousness), they create AKA-- Awesome Kid Agency. The team at AKA sneak, snoop, and invent their way to solving the crime. I don't want to give any spoilers, so you'll have to read for yourself to find out more!
Dewey Mac and the Case of the Dog Gone Dog features 12-yr-old Dewey McClain, a lover of science and math and invention...and not yet lover of girls. "Dewey Mac", as he's known by his friends, is a typical sixth-grader; he is terribly annoyed by his sister, he thinks his teacher is strange, he has a paper route... But Dewey has something else that's quite unique-- the ability to conceptualize and make whatever he needs in a certain situation.
This talent comes in handy as a mystery unfolds in Dewey's community. Together with his friend (new kid Ched, who is often the comic relief to Dewey's seriousness), they create AKA-- Awesome Kid Agency. The team at AKA sneak, snoop, and invent their way to solving the crime. I don't want to give any spoilers, so you'll have to read for yourself to find out more!
Throughout the story, there are prompts to reference the Detective Manual, an instruction book that details how to make each of Dewey's instructions-- in real life!! Sneak a peek and see which you'd like to build first.
This is a great book, its tone reminding me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and the inventions and bad-guy-capturing sequences reminding me of Home Alone!
My boys are only in Kindergarten (Little Guy) and 2nd Grade (B), so it was a little above their level, but that just meant that I edited out some of the farts and girls as we read ;) But really, we all really enjoyed reading it, and my second grader was intrigued at the idea of the manual. He even wrote a coded message to his friend using ABC=123 system, which I used to do at his age!
My second grader and I alternated reading chapters aloud. He read fluidly, needing help only with scientific words or idioms that he wasn't familiar with. I'd say it's age-appropriate for 2nd-8th grade, depending on your child's reading level and maturity level.
SLIGHT SPOILER******
B liked when the dog was found. He was relieved, saying that if we ever lost our dog, he'd be so sad.
Little Guy liked when Dewey tricked the bad guys. He thought it was really funny.
Author Michael Carroll is a fourth grade teacher in a suburb of Philadelphia. He's dedicated to sharing Dewey's story, highlighting STEM (Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering) education. Of course, this 'education' is disguised as fun and mischief...
This is a great book, its tone reminding me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and the inventions and bad-guy-capturing sequences reminding me of Home Alone!
My boys are only in Kindergarten (Little Guy) and 2nd Grade (B), so it was a little above their level, but that just meant that I edited out some of the farts and girls as we read ;) But really, we all really enjoyed reading it, and my second grader was intrigued at the idea of the manual. He even wrote a coded message to his friend using ABC=123 system, which I used to do at his age!
My second grader and I alternated reading chapters aloud. He read fluidly, needing help only with scientific words or idioms that he wasn't familiar with. I'd say it's age-appropriate for 2nd-8th grade, depending on your child's reading level and maturity level.
SLIGHT SPOILER******
B liked when the dog was found. He was relieved, saying that if we ever lost our dog, he'd be so sad.
Little Guy liked when Dewey tricked the bad guys. He thought it was really funny.
Author Michael Carroll is a fourth grade teacher in a suburb of Philadelphia. He's dedicated to sharing Dewey's story, highlighting STEM (Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering) education. Of course, this 'education' is disguised as fun and mischief...
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