Customer Reviews

Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This past Sunday found my children waiting patiently at the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA. They were there to get their hands on one of the world's first purchased copies of "Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000." Well...they waited as patiently as a five and a three year old are able. "Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom" had dug its fantastic claws into my children's brains, and they needed more. And their father...me...was just as anxious to see what Frankie would be up to next.

Eric Wight has managed to pull off an almost impossible feat with this series of books. He has combined the chapter book and graphic novel formats to create stories that pull the reader (whether they be 31 or 3) along on an adventure that defies easy catagorization or description. One thing I can say as a parent is that I am rarely as interested in storytime as I am when Frankie Pickle is next on the pile.

Wight's language does not insult the intelligence of the young. Kids understand more than we think they do, and Wight knows it. His word choice often results in tongue twisting combinations of sounds and syllables that are every bit as much fun to read aloud as they are to see on the page. And just when you get comfortable with the story, Frankie's imagination takes control and we are treated to comic-style panels with outlandish depictions of the world as seen by the young protagonist.

I realize that I haven't said very much, specifically, about "Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000" in this review, and I promise that this is intentional. I don't want to ruin anything for you. Trust me.

Reason for Reading: Next in the series, read aloud to my son.

Summary: Frankie Pickle is the only member of his Possum Scout group who didn't earn enough points to move up to the next level so he decides to participate in the annual model car derby. If he can win he will earn enough points to move up with everyone else.

Comments: My son is really enjoying Frankie Pickle! Being a cub scout himself and participating each year in the cub car rally, he knew exactly what Frankie was facing. He laughed out loud when he saw the race tracks they had to run and found plenty of other moments to laugh as well. This book is a combination of text with graphic panels interwoven throughout. Frankie's imagination often runs away with him and in these instances the format will turn into a graphic novel as he becomes a magician, superhero, artist, race car driver, etc.

The story is a lot of fun from a kid's point of view but what I also like as a parent is the family dynamics of the Piccolini's. Frankie's parents are a vital part of the story, especially the dad this time, and Frankie is a respectful kid with no backtalk or whining. Frankie learns a lesson in the end about asking for help and being a good sportsman. This is a great follow up to Closet of Doom and we look forward to book 3 due out later this year, The Mathematical Menace.

I picked up "Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000" in the hopes of finding a fun book for my 4th grade son to read. The cover art reminded me a bit of "Speed Racer", which alot of kids enjoy. As an adult, I flew through the book quickly, as it's less than 90 pages.

In Eric Wight's book, we find Franklin Lorenzo Piccolini, a.k.a. "Frankie Pickle" participating in a local scout troop, working on merit badges and getting to the next level in their program. Frankie has a vivid imagination, frequently zoning out in to another cartoon-like world, a la the old "Calvin & Hobbes" cartoon strips.

Frankie decides to enter a pinewood derby-like race called the Pine Run 3000, which has been around for generations. His father relishes the idea of helping his son create the race car, but he backs off when Frankie wants to do it on his own. Later Frankie and his dad do come together to work on the project, and they have alot of fun doing it.

Frankie goes on to get into some interesting situations and learns a few lessons along the way. As a parent of two boys, I could really appreciate alot of the notes that were played in this book. I loved the teachable moments in the story, and I especially appreciated the lack of bathroom humor, frequently found in many Middle Grade level books. The closest thing to an offensive moment for me was when one character said, "I smell loser!" and Frankie replies with, "Must be your breath!"

Overall, this was a great little book. I'll certainly be passing this on to my son to read. It teaches honesty, good sportsmanship, good parenting, perseverance, youthful imagination and the value of family heritage, all in a fun, kid-friendly way. I definitely recommend this title.

My 9yr old son recieved this book as a gift and loved it. He asked to for more Frankie Pickle. He finished up the 2nd book as soon as he got it and is waiting for the arrival of the 3rd.

It's about a young boy who's in a scouting group and doesn't get a badge because he needs one more point. Then, he hears about a race where he can earn the point he needs to earn his badge, he builds a car for the race. The race event itself is full of twists and turns. Bringing you to the end of the book. Does he earn his badge or is there a lesson of disappointment? You need to read to find out.

My son hates to read. It is a problem every night to get him to read for school. He discovered this book and, he read it for 3 days and finished it. He was so excited he actually started and finished an entire book. This is big for him! He seems to be very excited about doing his book report on this, and is looking forward to the next Frankie Pickles book. He will be very happy to see there is another to be out soon and I am as well!

My son just used this book for his book report and really enjoyed it.
It is a fairly easy read chapter book for about a 6-9 year old.
The story is about a boy who is in "scouts" and trying to advance to his next scout level by earning points. He decides to build a small car to race in the Pine Run 3000 race to earn those points. The story is about the lessons he learns along the way from his Dad and opponents. The book is much more exciting because of the comic strips that represent the boy Frankie's imagination. He imagines himself racing in the tiny car he built(life size in his mind) and his family as super heros! The story has a positive ending, a little surprise....too cute!

Half comic book, half story, this is a quick read, easy to do in one extended bedtime. Sweet story about father son relationships and how to handle failure, setbacks and winning.

Frankie's in a pickle, literally. He wants to move up to Shrew Scout from Possum Scout, and have a car for the upcoming Pine Run 300 that is flashier than his friend Carters. Winning the Pine Run 300 will give him enough points to move up to Shrew Scout. Frankie decides to design and build the car needed for the race by himself-not the brightest idea he has ever had. Can he build the car that wins the race? Will he move up to Shrew Scout? Will he learn to take directions and ask for help?

With illustrations galore, humor, and Frankie's cute escapist cartoon fantasies, this book was fun for me and my kids to read. I quote them below:

"Imaginative, incredible" Erik, age 8

"It was good" Kyle, age 7 (I know I need to work with him on using descriptive words when discussing things he has read)

I definately want to get my kids the first book in the series after reading this one. It is perfect for reluctant readers, with just enough cartoons to keep a nonreader interested. It was reminiscent of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series of books which are also good for children who do not like to read much.

Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 fills an important space between picture books and chapter books. Although it IS a chapter book, it has illustrations worked in on almost every page. Also, when Frankie is imagining anything, the book converts to "comic book mode". My 7 year old quickly picked up on the idea that the "comic book" sections were Frankie's imagination at work.

The story itself is simple enough and has some good ideas for young readers to pick up on. Some points made in the story include:
1) asking for help is ok
2) be a good sport
3) be happy with what you do accomplish, as opposed to goals that may be unattatinable.
4) be happy with what you are good at.

I found the artwork to be fresh and attractive in a timeless fashion - seemingly retro at times and modern at others. The illustrations highlighted the story well.

I don't have any negatives for this book. Its a nice read and the pictures are engaging. Some word choices may be hard for beginning readers but I feel that these words were intentionally used to challenge the reader.

This book is good for "read aloud" or for readers who are into beginning chapter books. I recommend it.