Farewell, My Lunchbag: A Chet Gecko Mystery [Paperback]

Bruce Hale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Chet Gecko (Book 3)

Danger may be Chet Gecko's business, but dessert is his delight. . . .
Chet Gecko's hunger for mystery is matched only by his appetite for cockroach casserole, mosquito marshmallow surprise, and stinkbug pie. So when the cafeteria needs help nabbing a food thief, Chet digs into the case with a passion he usually reserves only for dessert. But this time Chet may have bitten off more than even he can chew.
Someone has framed him, and now everyone at Emerson Hicky--even his trusted partner, Natalie Attired--thinks the food thief is none other than Chet!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Chet Gecko, fourth-grade private eye, has been framed. Someone's been stealing the pickled spider eggs, cockroach quiche, happy-spider lasagna, deep-fried termites, and candied butterflies from the Emerson Hicky Elementary cafeteria, and it's not Chet. But while on the case, this hard-boiled detective is tricked into eating a knockout pillbug muffin; when he comes to, he's surrounded by the remnants of someone's filched feast, and no one, not Mrs. Bagoong, the giant iguana cafeteria lady, not even his mockingbird partner, Natalie, believes he's innocent. What's a gecko to do? A lot of detention for one thing. And some deep digging into this mystery, which involves shoulder-rubbing with one Rocky Rhode, a "horned toad with a short fuse and a rap sheet as long as an elephant's suspenders."

The latest in Bruce Hale's Chet Gecko Mystery series (The Mystery of Mr. Nice, The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse, and others) is just as steeped in the lingo and attitude of the detective fiction genre: "Dames. Whether they thought you were a good boy or a bad boy, they always spelled trouble." Sardonic, smart-mouthed, and always, at heart, a fourth grader, Chet Gecko is one of the most winning characters--lizard or other--to come down the pipe in a long time. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

In the third adventure of the reptilian gumshoe, Farewell, My Lunchbag by Bruce Hale, a follow-up to The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse and The Mystery of Mr. Nice, Chet Gecko searches out a food thief in the cafeteria (school lunches must be improving).

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152026290
• ISBN-13: 978-0152026295
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #545,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians > Fiction

More About the Author

Edgar-nominated author Bruce Hale is passionate about inspiring reluctant readers to read. He has written or illustrated more than 25 seriously funny books for children, including the popular Chet Gecko Mysteries series and the comics-novel hybrid, Underwhere, as well as picture books like "Snoring Beauty" and "Moki and the Magic Surfboard."

An actor and Fulbright Scholar in Storytelling, Bruce is in demand as a speaker, having presented at conferences, universities, and schools across North America - from the Maui Writers Conference to the Surrey International Writers Conference in British Columbia. His acting resume includes regional commercials, theater, and an independent film, The Ride. Bruce's book, "The Malted Falcon," was an Edgar Award Finalist. "Murder, My Tweet" won the Little D Award for Humor Writing.

A little-known fact: Bruce loves jazz, and sings with an a cappella group called VocalPoint in Santa Barbara

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Hilarious Addition to the 'Chet Gecko' Series, December 16, 2004

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Farewell, My Lunchbag: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Paperback)

It is a known fact that Chet Gecko, fourth-grade private eye, loves anything having to do with food. Especially if it involves eating it. So Chet nearly loses his mind when the lunch lady, Mrs. Bagoong, informs Chet that there is a food thief plaguing Emerson Hicky Elementary, and she needs Chet's help to catch him/her. Mrs. Bagoong gives Chet and his mockingbird sidekick, Natalie, a muffin each as a down payment, and soon the two of them are on the case. However, this case may have been a bit much for Chet, for now he's been framed for the crime, and is facing a life of detention if he doesn't catch the thief. And quick.

It is amazing that Bruce Hale's writing gets better in every CHET GECKO MYSTERY. The fabulous jokes are enough to keep any reader, whether they are 5 or 15, laughing out loud; while the strange situations and scenarios that Chet gets into regularly are too wacky for words. FAREWELL, MY LUNCHBAG is a fabulous addition to the series, that cannot be missed.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars book review, April 21, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Farewell, My Lunchbag: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful mystery. It is also funny. I recommend it to mystery and/or commedy lovers. It has many good lines that will keep you laughing for hours. When I read I couldn't put it down. The suspence is a killer. I think the author did a great job writing this book. I really think people should read it. It is excellent!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars farewell my lunchbag, December 5, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Farewell, My Lunchbag: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Hardcover)

The main characters of this story are chet gecko and natalie. They are detectives at a school. They are on a case to find who the food theif is. Chet gets knocked out while guarding the school's lunch supply and is framed. He knows hes innocent and is looking for the theif. Natalie thinks he might be on to something. They go and search and chet finds out that the snake is behind all this. He trys to tell the principle and he says "Show me proof" so chet goes and finds the theif and calms him with a flute. This takes place at chet's school. The meaning of this story is that you should not try to be innocent and admit what you've done. I liked this story because it is a mystery and you never know whats going to happen next. It seems like you know everything at first but you are able to find out what happens. Thats my ending so bye.