The Gadget War (Puffin Chapters) [Paperback]

Betsy Duffey (Author), Janet Wilson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Puffin Chapters

Kelly is the gadget wiz at Danville School. Her desk is full of wonderful gadgets and by the latest count she has made 43 inventions and she is only a first year junior. She is popular until that fateful day on which the new boy Albert Einstein Jones arrives. By the author of "The Maths Wiz".

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-- Kelly is a third grader who solves problems by inventing playful and mischievous gadgets. A new student named Albert Einstein Jones turns out to be a problem as well as a major rival for her title as class "gadget whiz." They begin a full-scale war of inventions--from the "pants-wetter" to food-fight catapults, which result in an orange throwing incident in the school cafeteria. Although the preposterous events and gimmicks are exaggerated to elicit humor, readers of short chapter books will enjoy the silliness. A mention of some factual information about famous inventors is integrated into the text. This is a lightweight additional title for libraries that never seem to have enough books for easy-reader graduates. --Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

When Albert Einstein Jones joins Kelly's third grade, it's ``hate at first sight'': proud of her status as class inventor, Kelly meets his competitive zeal with rancor that escalates as each attacks the other with not-so-ingenious pranks involving smelly goo, food catapults, etc. But when the orange that Kelly slings at Albert hits the principal by mistake, the resourceful Albert covers for her--with the unexpected result that he gets the blame. Kelly is honest enough to tell the principal what really happened; left alone together in detention, she and Albert go through a classic disarmament, alternately dropping their gadgets into the trash one by one, and decide that ``making peace is definitely nicer than making war.'' Too broadly drawn to strike adults as funny, but the intended audience will enjoy the slapstick and may absorb the not-so-subtle message. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reissue edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141307080
• ISBN-13: 978-0141307084
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > General
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More About the Author

Betsy Duffey began writing in 1990 and has published over twenty children's books, including a number of popular series. Her books have been Junior Library Guild selections, Crown Award nominees, and have been nominated for state awards in over twenty states including the California Young Reader Medal, the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the Florida Sunshine State Young Reader Award. Her books have been Parent's Choice and Children's Choice selections. Betsy's books have been translated into Japanese, Korean, Dutch and Danish, and included in numerous book clubs.

Betsy lives with her husband, Bill, and puppy, Arlo, in Atlanta. She currently writes with her sister, Laurie Myers. You can visit them at their facebook page: Writing Sisters or at writingsisters.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Popular in the 3rd grade!, June 26, 2000

By 

Keli Vargo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gadget War (Mass Market Paperback)

My 3rd-grade class all got to read this book because it's short and fun. It is on our Accelerated Reader list, and we all loved it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, January 13, 2008

By 

Dr. Joan E. Aitken "author of Interpersonal C... (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gadget War (Puffin Chapters) (Paperback)

Genre & Age
Series book. 3rd grade chapter book.

Summary
Kelly Sparks makes points with her classmates because she is the gadget whiz. When a new boy comes to the school, he calls himself the "read" gadget whiz. The two begin a gadget war, each trying to out-do the other. When the pair get into trouble for hitting the principal with an orange, they discover the real reason for rules--not hurting others--and that the "mean" principal has a sense of humor and is a real person.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun and interesting book for young readers or the people who read to them, September 28, 2006

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gadget War (Puffin Chapters) (Paperback)

This is our first book by this author, but it won't be the last! It tells the story of Kelly, a clever third grader who excels at designing and making gadgets for any purpose. She is regarded highly by her classmates and teacher until a new student joins the class -- a boy who not only designs gadgets himself, but almost instantly gets the class laughing AT Kelly. How their gadget war escalates, and how it's eventually resolved, is handled brilliantly by the author. Duffey not only shows creative problem solving, but she adds a little philosophy, too -- all still accessible to the early reader! With humor and thought, Kelly grows up a little and makes a new friend.

This is fun for students and people who read to students, and the plot revolves around a female protagonist who can still appeal to boy readers.

Highly worthwhile and extremely enjoyable, at 75 pages of large type, this is a great introduction to longer fiction for young readers.