Cal and the Amazing Anti-Gravity Machine (Smart Kids) [Hardcover]

Richard Hamilton (Author), Sam Hearn (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 2006 | Age Level: 6 and up | Series: Smart Kids

In this wacky, adventurous chapter book, Cal and his grouchy talking dog, Frankie, discover the joys (and pitfalls) of anti-gravity when they join forces with Cal's inventive neighbor, Mr. Frout. This hair-raising adventure is a laugh-out-loud romp that lifts one boy's curiosity about science to a new level!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4–In this Sorcerer's Apprentice sort of story for early chapter-book readers, 10-year-old Cal Barraclough learns his lesson after playing with the levers of a machine built by his eccentric neighbor. Mr. Frout is always clamoring about in his backyard, engaging in secret science experiments and driving his neighbors crazy. Drawn by the man's unconventional manner, Cal and his talking dog, Frankie, like to sit on the roof and observe him. When Mr. Frout's antigravity experiment goes awry, he reluctantly enlists the boy's help, and Cal wins his approval and friendship. Then he makes the mistake of playing with the machine in the inventor's absence and causes his whole neighborhood to be turned upside down–literally. Mr. Frout and Cal get things back under control, and the result is a calmer man who, in the end, takes up gardening and makes peace with his neighbors. Quirky pen-and-ink drawings complement the text, and short chapters make this story appealing to reluctant readers. A fun and inventive romp for those who like Jon Scieszka's Time Warp Trio series (Viking) or Jim Benton's Franny K. Stein books (S & S).–Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. This illustrated chapter book from the author and illustrator of Violet and the Mean and Rotten Pirates (2003) introduces Cal, a quiet lad who soon acquires Frankie, an amazing talking dog, though only Cal understands Frankie's peculiar speech. Together they befriend their eccentric next-door neighbor, Mr. Frout, who, while tinkering with the scrap metal in his yard, invents a machine that first eliminates then reverses gravity. Readers with a taste for common or garden-variety fantasy, rather than the medieval or highfalutin kind, will enjoy the fun as Cal overcomes his initial shyness with Mr. Frout, observes the freedom and inconveniences of weightlessness, and takes action when the phenomenon becomes chaotic and frightening. The many ink drawings amplify this entertaining addition to fiction collections, which is also an eye-opening tribute to the benefits of walking on solid ground. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (April 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582347239
• ISBN-13: 978-1582347233
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,425,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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