Marty Frye, Private Eye (Redfeather Chapter Book) [Hardcover]

Janet Tashjian (Author), Laurie Keller (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Series: Redfeather Chapter Book

Marty Frye is not your ordinary private eye. Marty Frye is "the poet detective"--he solves petty crimes by turning rhymes. In the course of a busy day, Marty tracks down his friend Emma's lost diary, finds a box of toys missing from Mr. Lipsky's store; and locates a bag of disappearing flour for his little sister, Katie. Although he hits some dead ends along the way, Marty Frye combines his three favorite hobbies--sleuthing, rhyming, and climbing trees--and leaves no case unsolved or unrhymed.

Three short stories with clear, simple sentences make this charming easy-reader an ideal stepping-stone to longer chapter books. Laurie Keller's quirky illustrations capture the spirit of Janet Tashjian's tongue-in-cheek humor. Young readers will be off in search of a rhyme in no time.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-A beginning chapter book that features a seven-year-old poet detective who rhymes his way through each problem (usually a miscommunication, never any foul play) to a solution. This gimmick, while clever, is also a flaw as it creates some forced dialogue. Marty's rhyming comments "I'll be brief. Are you the thief?" and "I've hit some dead ends, I hope we're still friends" make the reading tedious and a tad confusing at times. The characters are drawn broadly both by the author and illustrator. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations dance merrily through the pages adding flavor to the madcap escapades. Despite its limitations, this briskly paced, action-packed title will serve those readers making the leap from picture to chapter books.
Jane Claes, T. J. Lee Elementary School, Irving, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Janet Tashjian's first book, True Confessions (Holt), was hailed as a "reinvention of the diary format" in a Publishers Weekly starred review. Ms. Tashjian lives with her family near Boston, Massachusetts.

Laurie Keller illustrated The Scrambled States of America. Originally from Michigan, Ms. Keller now lives in New York City with her two cats.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Redfeather Book from Henry Holt; 1st edition (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805058885
• ISBN-13: 978-0805058888
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,850,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born and raised in Rhode Island, lived in Boston for the past twenty years, and am currently moving to L.A. (I will miss lots about New England but not the winters.)
I love making up stories and doing school presentations about writing. I still write most of my books in longhand -- I love the feel of a pen in my hand moving across crisp white paper. (Although I'd be lost without my MacBook.)
I have lots of ideas for stories but unfortunately not enough hours in the day to write them all.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marty Frye Private Eye is really good., January 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Marty Frye, Private Eye (Little Apple Paperback) (Paperback)

It is great. I loved all the stories and I wish there were more stories.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marty Frye Private Eye is really good., January 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Marty Frye, Private Eye (Little Apple Paperback) (Paperback)

The book is great. I like all the stories. Some parts are funny and some parts are not.