Mr. Chickee's Funny Money (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 3-6–A humorous and exciting tall tale about nine-year-old Steven, who loves helping his blind neighbor, Mr. Chickee, run his errands. When the elderly man tells Steven he is going on a long trip, he gives the boy a present and tells him to keep it secret. When Steven finally opens the surprise, he finds a quadrillion dollar bill. With the help of his younger friend, Russell, and Russell's drooling, giant dog, Zoopy, Steven manages to evade the smarmy and slightly inept Agent Fondoo from the U.S. Treasury Department, who is desperately trying to get the bill back. Curtis piles the laughs on in this fast-paced mystery. The interactions between Steven and his dad, who uses every opportunity to educate his son (much to Steven's irritation); the dictionary whose copyright page constantly writes insults; and the boy's miraculous spying invention called the Snoopeeze 9000 all serve to give the novel a sense of whimsy and magical realism. Characters are very interesting but the plot is the important thing here. Curtis presents both adults and children as flawed but brave. This book will surely appeal to reluctant readers as well as anyone who wants to laugh and find intrigue and just a little bit of magic.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Curtis tries something new in this book, which begins the Flint Future Detective series. Mostly mystery with a touch of fantasy, the story introduces Steven, a bright kid, whose adventure begins after he receives a quadrillion dollar bill from Mr. Chickee, a blind neighbor that Steven helps out. The money's signature feature is a picture of soul singer James Brown. After Steven discovers that the money is legit, he finds himself pitted against Treasury Agent Foondoo, which leads to a chase in which Zoopy, a dog belonging to Russell, Steven's partner in crime, is seemingly killed. But all's well that ends well when the money is returned, rewards are given, and Zoopy reappears unharmed. There's plenty of action, and the humor is high--though much of it, unfortunately, is at the expense of Steven's father. Curtis' writing style, fast-paced and full of improbable happenings, may be too stylized for some readers, but many kids will enjoy the heady mix of conspiracies and everyday happenings. The explanation of how Brown's picture landed on the quadrillion dollar bill is a hoot. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (January 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440229197
• ISBN-13: 978-0440229193
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #283,362 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A funny new book by a good author, March 7, 2006

By	Lane Young "Teacher and Librarian" (Highland Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mr. Chickee's Funny Money (Hardcover)

Mr. Chickee knows what he is doing when he gives Steven a bill that has fifteen zeroes, and the picture of the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, James Brown, on it. Steven's the perfect choice due to his being the President of the Future Detectives of Flint club and the second smartest kid at his school. When Steven starts to investigate whether this bill is real or not he quickly runs up against Agent Fondoo of the US Department of the Treasury, who is determined to get the bill back, one way or another.

This implausible book, while keeping the setting of Flint with a black main character, is a departure from Curtis's other novels. Serious messages are out and humor is the focus of this mystery. Clearly intended to be the first of a series, those looking for a funny mystery, or just a plain funny book, will be pleased with this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Chickee's Funny Money by Skylar Haugenes, November 22, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Mr. Chickee's Funny Money (Hardcover)

Mr. Chickee's Funny money was a super book.It begins when Steven get a quadrillion dollor bill. Then he and his dad show Agent Fondoo, and Agent Fondoo will do anything to get the bill back. Even send Steven and his best friends on a wild goose chase. If you like adventure books that are fast moving and don't let you know what will happen next this is the book for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a fun and crazy adventure, March 8, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Mr. Chickee's Funny Money (Hardcover)

it all starts out when mr. chickee gave steven a quadrillion dollar bill. then he and his dad show it to agent fondoo and fondoo is instructed to get that governmet dollar. if steven deposits it in the bank he will be a quadrillionaire. Steven, his friend russel and russel's giant dog zoopy are then chased by the feds when they try to deposit it in the bank. they then ride zoopy towards the bank. will they make it?

i thought this book was a really good book. steven's great grampa's dictionary writes mean messages at him. his powerful snoopeeze spy listener that he upgraded. james brown's face on the quadrillion dollar bill. it was really cool when russel and steven rode zoopy. then after russel falls off, steven and zoopy fall over the dam.