Bo and Mzzz Mad [Hardcover]

Sid Fleischman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

The Gamages and the Martinkas despise each other, because of a family feud handed down from generation to generation. Nevertheless, to escape a foster home, newly orphaned Bo Gamage steps off the bus in the California desert to meet his distant cousin Madeleine, a genuine on-the-hoof Martinka.

About his own age, Madeleine wears big sunglasses and calls herself Mzzz Mad. The name sounds to Bo like a mosquito in the air, about to attack. "You one of them ornery Gamages?" she asks. "Where's your horns and your mangy tail?"

Enemies at first sight, they find themselves under the same roof in a ghost town presided over by cantankerous Charlie Martinka, a former cowboy movie star turned prospector. Bo is quickly caught up in a razzle-dazzle of goings-on, which include a wild battle for a missing map, the mystery of the tattooed head, and a daring search for the legendary Pegleg Smith gold mine. And before they know it, Bo and Mzzz Mad find themselves handcuffed -- together!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Take one orphaned boy, send him to relatives with whom his family has been feuding for generations, add a long-lost gold mine and a pair of no-good, low-down dirty rascals and voil… the stage is set for a classic Fleischman (Bandit's Moon) tale. In his contemporary western, 12-year-old Bo Gamage's arrival in Queen of Sheba, Calif. "the jumping-off place to nowhere" is less than auspicious. Bo and his smart-mouthed cousin Madeleine Martinka (she goes by Mzzz Mad) take an instant dislike to each other, and grumpy Paw Paw, Mad's ex-cowboy movie star grandpa, is equally unwelcoming. Only Aunt Juna, an artist who inveigles Bo into a scheme to rekindle Paw Paw's interest in life with a fake treasure map, shows him any kindness. A couple on a crime spree throw a monkey wrench into Bo's plans to move on, however, and he soon finds himself handcuffed to Mzzz Mad and in fairly desperate straits. Fleischman, who can spin a yarn like nobody's business, is in top form here, delivering a thumping good page-turner spiced with humor, snappy descriptions ("The front door stood wide open, as if the building were gasping for air"; Mzzz Mad says Paw Paw feels "older'n greasewood") and a lickety-split plot. Readers can just sit back, relax and watch a master at work. Ages 8-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Fleischman's many fans won't be disappointed by this fast-paced tale. The story is set in a tiny western town that really isn't a town at all-it's just the remnants of a Western movie set, stuck in the California desert. Recently orphaned Bo Gamage decides to visit his only remaining relatives, despite a longstanding family feud between the Gamages and Martinkas. The 12-year-old discovers that Queen of Sheba's only residents are his great-uncle Charlie Martinka, a washed-up, cantankerous cowboy actor; Aunt Juna; and cousin Madeleine, a 13-year-old who calls herself "Mzzz Mad." The feud centers on an alleged gold mine in the nearby hills, which both sides of the family claim but no one can find. It's not long before Bo realizes that he would like to go back to the city life he's used to and escape the bad blood, but the realities of the harsh desert keep him from walking away. Then, a couple of modern-day bandits arrive on the scene and hold the family hostage. The resulting troubles draw the relatives together and the mystery surrounding the contentious gold mine is solved. The narrative speeds along with enough plot twists to keep readers flipping pages. Character development suffers a little, the conflict between the title characters is a bit superficial, and the resolution is not very satisfying. Charlie Martinka, however, is colorful and charming, still clanking around in his spurs and cowboy delusions. The combination of his character and Fleischman's storytelling prowess results in a fun, quick read.-Steve Clancy, Colonial Village Elementary School, Niagara Falls, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow; 1st edition (April 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060293977
• ISBN-13: 978-0060293970
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,582,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since his autobiography, The Abracadabra Kid: A Writer's Life, was published in 1996, Sid Fleischman has been stealing the spotlight with his exuberant brand of nonfiction. Sir Charlie: Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World is Fleischman's fourth true tale, following the widely acclaimed The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West and the best-selling Escape! The Story of The Great Houdini.
Fleischman's books have been made into films, performed as plays, and translated into nineteen languages. The author was awarded the Newbery Medal for The Whipping Boy.
Sid Fleischman lives in Santa Monica, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Attention Getting, March 22, 2003

By 

vivian lynn horn (Harrodsburg, Ky USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bo & Mzzz Mad (Library Binding)

This is a great fast moving book. It grabs your attention in thefirst paragraph at the bus stop. Bo & Mzzz Mad, written by Sid Fleischman, is set in a ghost town called Queen of Sheba in the California desert. The town is occupied by three of his only known living relatives running the Queen of Sheba Hotel. The main character, Bo Gamage, runs away after his father dies to avoid going to a foster home and ends up in this remote,barren desert town, Queen of Sheba. As soon as Bo arrives he meets the relatives. He takes an instant dislike to his 13 year old cousin Mad (Madeline). He really likes Aunt Juna, and feels unwelcomed by Charlie, Mad's grandpa. Not only does he have to deal with strange relatives on his arrival but his stay turns adventurous because of a couple on a crime spree. This book is very descriptive, fast moving, easy to read,and engaging. It shows the importance of family and how they are there if you need them.