Key Lardo: A Chet Gecko Mystery [Hardcover]

Bruce Hale (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Chet Gecko

Hold on to your fedoras, Gecko fans: Chet and Natalie have at last met their sleuthing match. That's right--a new detective has arrived at Emerson Hicky Elementary. His name's Bland. James Bland.

    

Bland immediately cracks a case that has baffled Chet and Natalie. Do our favorite PIs get jealous? You'd better believe it! And if this wasn't bad enough, when Bland suddenly goes missing, the blame falls squarely on Chet. The only way for our hero to clear his name is to rescue his tubby rival. It's either that or face a stint behind bars--and we're not talking the jungle gym.  
    

This twelfth installment in Bruce Hale's Chet Gecko series is full of the hilarious characters, witty one-liners, and fast-paced mystery that have made Chet a favorite with middle grade readers.

 

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for books in the Chet Gecko series:
"Zesty and entertaining . . . Young readers . . . will want to scuttle along with this schoolyard sleuth."--The Bulletin

"Those who haven't read a 'Chet Gecko' mystery don't know what they're missing."--School Library Journal

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

BRUCE HALE is the author of five picture books as well as the eleven previous Chet Gecko mysteries. A popular speaker, teacher, and storyteller for children and adults, he lives in Santa Barbara, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152050744
• ISBN-13: 978-0152050740
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious story, October 7, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Key Lardo: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Hardcover)

Ages 8-12 receive another Chet Gecko mystery in KEY LARDO; this telling of a new detective, James Bland, who is a portly penguin capable of cracking cases which have Chet and Natalie stumped. When Bland vanishes, Chet becomes a suspect and finds himself on a mission to rescue the competition in this hilarious story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Key Lardo, May 31, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Key Lardo: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Paperback)

This is a great book it is so funny! If you like funny bad-jokes this is a great book. Chet Gecko is a great book.