The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy [Hardcover]

Clive Cussler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Take a look at Casey and Lacey Nicefolk and you’ll see two regular, all-American kids. But these brother and sister twins have a secret. Hidden in the family barn is the most magical—and coolest—gadget unknown to man: a mystical box that can turn any small object into a life-size replica.

When the twins’ parents go out of town, the two decide to put the box to use. Taking a model boat, they create a fully functioning powerboat and enter a race up the Sacramento River. But this is no ordinary boat, and this is no ordinary race. What follows is a nautical adventure where being the first to cross the finish line is not the only prize.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-5–When their parents go out of town, 10-year-old fraternal twins Casey and Lacey Nicefolk decide to use their magical black box to turn a toy model boat into a functioning powerboat and enter the Gold Cup Grand National Race up the Sacramento River. What follows is a series of mini adventures for the siblings and their dog, including kidnapping by the bad guys from The Adventures of Vin Fiz (Philomel, 2006) and the actual race itself, which comprises nearly half the book. Written in a style reminiscent of an old-fashioned dime novel, the book has no character development and a lot of telling rather than showing. The writing is stilted, and the story lacks excitement or purpose.Jessica Marie, Renton Public Library, WA
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

Clive Cussler lives in Arizona.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (May 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039925434X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399254345
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #589,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Clive Cussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt(R), in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.
Cussler is an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers have discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In September, 1998, NUMA - which turns over all artifacts to state and Federal authorities, or donates them to museums and universities - launched its own web site for those wishing more information about maritime history or wishing to make donations to the organization.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler is also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He has been honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey, Black Wind, Treasure of Kahn and Arctic Drift (the last three with his son, Dirk Cussler) as well as The Chase; the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt (R) Revealed; the NUMA(R) Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death, Lost City, Polar Shift, The Navigator and Medusa (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch, Skeleton Coast, Plague Ship and Corsair (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler lives in Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Cussler adventure for the preteen set., May 15, 2010

By 

Marcus A. Lewis (South El Monte, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy (Hardcover)

Casey and Lacey Nicefolk return for their second adventure. We first met them in "Adventures of Vin Fiz" (2006). It's refreshing to see a writer of Cussler's stature extend the excitement of his adult novels to the preteen set. What a great way for parents to encourage their children to read. While mom and dad are poring over one of Juan Cabrillo's tales, their kids can be reading the same author right along with them. Brilliant!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE ADVENTURES OF HOTSY TOTSY combines Cussler's love of action, adventure, and magnificent boat workmanship, July 1, 2010

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy (Hardcover)

After flying through the air in the Vin Fiz, Casey and Lacey Nicefolk are back for another adventure. Thanks to the help of Mr. Sucoh Sucop (hocus pocus spelled backward), the non-identical twins still have the magic box that transforms small toys or figurines into life-size objects. Although they had their hands full in their last adventure flying a replica of the Wright Brothers' Flyer, school is almost out and summer seems like just the perfect time for Casey and Lacey to have more fun!

A poster highlighting an upcoming boat race makes its way into Casey's hands, and he knows exactly what he and Lacey should do. The Gold Cup National Race is a powerboat endurance race up the Sacramento River to the state capital of California and then back down to the San Francisco Bay. Lacey is skeptical, but when Casey shows her a model replica of a famous powerboat, the Hotsy Totsy, Lacey agrees to the thrilling boat race. The Nicefolks' dog, Floopy, also thinks it's a great idea. He just loves wearing goggles and the feeling of fresh air blowing in his face.

After pushing the magic lever and wishing with all their might,Casey and Lacey magically create a life-size Hotsy Totsy and are ready to win a boat race! The twins decide the only way to enter the race is by sneaking in the night before. Their plan hits a snag, however, when they encounter the last person they ever wanted to see again: the Boss. Casey and Lacey managed to put the Boss and his henchman behind bars last time, but the Boss is out for revenge and he captures the twins and locks them in a cell on Alcatraz Island. The Boss has recently robbed a bank, and he and his henchman plan to escape with the money and leave Casey and Lacey behind.

The magical Hotsy Totsy, though, knows just what to do, and Floopy helps as the Hotsy Totsy sets out to rescue the Nicefolk twins. Casey and Lacey manage to escape thanks to Floopy and return in time to enter the boat race. The Boss may have let the twins slip through his fingers again --- but he isn't finished with them just yet!

Casey and Lacey enter the race at the last minute and soon find themselves in the midst of a high-speed adventure. The Hotsy Totsy passes one boat, then another, and eventually finds itself gaining on the leaders. The officials aren't too happy with a pair of kids and their dog participating in the race, but after the nation becomes captivated with the Nicefolk siblings, Casey and Lacey are allowed to continue. The Hotsy Totsy seems to have a mind of its own as it navigates the rough waters and builds speed to pass the other powerboats. Just when it seems like the Hotsy Totsy has a real shot at winning, the Boss shows up again; this time he's looking to get rid of Casey and Lacey --- for good!

Clive Cussler has built a huge following with his adult books, but younger kids will enjoy this latest installment in his children's book series. THE ADVENTURES OF HOTSY TOTSY combines Cussler's love of action, adventure, and magnificent boat workmanship. Although there are moments when the reader will need to suspend the realm of belief --- it's not too often 10-year-olds could get away entering a boat race --- the best moments come in the action sequences that thrive under the expertise of Cussler.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real cute story, September 6, 2010

By 

Weasel - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy (Hardcover)

I am a fan of Clive Cussler and was surprised to see that he had written a children's book. So of course I had to read it. I was pleasantly surprised. He had all of the suspense of his adult books but at a child's level. The story line was easy to follow and very interesting. I would recommend this book to anybody with children or grandchildren. If they are able to read it themselves, I would let them. If not, I would read it to them. It could be read at one sitting but I think it would be better if done as a good night story. There isn't any monsters or real scary stuff in it. I now want to get his other children book, The Adventures of Vin Fiz. So get this book as soon as possible and enjoy a light hearted story for children that an adult can enjoy also.