The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald [Hardcover]

Clifford B. Hicks (Author), Charles Geer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Since 1960, children have been enthralled by the adventures of Alvin Fernald. Whenever Alvin's Magnificent Brain kicks into action, it's time to watch out! For Alvin is always thinking up another marvelous invention. Maybe it's the Foolproof Burglar Alarm for his bedroom door, or a Sure Shot Paper Slinger for delivering newspapers from his bike. But there's no doubt about it, as his sister the Pest says, "Alvin is a genius!"

With his best friend Wilfred Shoemaker (Shoie for short) and the Pest, who always tags along, there is never a dull moment as Alvin unfolds the most brilliant plan of his career to solve the mystery surrounding the old Huntley place.

New cover by Charles Geer.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First published in the 1960s, these two mysteries feature a boy inventor. In the first book, Alvin uses a periscope to search out a missing neighbor; in the second, he learns about decoding and uncovers a mystery involving a hostage and buried treasure. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 119 pages
• Publisher: Purple House Press (March 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193090021X
• ISBN-13: 978-1930900219
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!, November 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald (Paperback)

This is the first title in an outstanding series of Alvin books by Clifford Hicks. Sadly, they all seem to be out of print.
The Alvin books were my favorites as a kid. I checked them out from the library repeatedly and devoured them. As a 10 year old, I wanted to hang out with Alvin and Shoey. The books are full of laughs, adventure, and great storytelling. They take us back to small town America, before kids had to deal with grownup problems.
If you have a kid, buy this book for him. Buy it used, buy it on Ebay, buy it at a used bookstore! The other titles (all very good) in the series are ALVIN'S SECRET CODE, ALVIN'S SWAP SHOP, ALVIN FERNALD FOREIGN TRADER, ALVIN FERNALD MAYOR FOR A DAY, and ALVIN FERNALD SUPERWEASEL. All are great. Another great series if you like the Alvin books is the Mad Scientists Club books by Bertrand Brinley. Check them out.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surely, one of the best kid's books ever written!, July 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald (Paperback)

Alvin Fernald in "The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald" gives us the character we've been wanting to see for a long time. No pretentious, Einstein-like, nauseating child characters as are so often found in children's books today. The words "believable" and "energized" fit this character and this book. Alvin is entertaining, hilarious and inventive. This book is REFRESHING. Kids are free from dealing with divorce, AIDS, broken promises, puberties-gone-bad and all the other bibliotherapy themes that seem to permeate the current books for children. Not that those aren't important, but this one is a time-out from seriousness, and is a roller coaster ride, a non-stop comedy routine, and a mystery which actually develops in a BELIEVABLE manner. It is such REFRESHING FUN. The story line is so adeptly crafted by its author, Clifford B. Hicks, a talented writer of much expertise and experience. Books like this separate the usual books that have plagued the children's market for the last several years by formula hack writers from those written by truly talented children's writers, like Clifford B. Hicks. It's such a relief to read something so enjoyable and so NOT-FORMULA. Single this book out for your children and leave the over-used theme, big yawn books to others less discriminating. This book is SPECIAL. Give YOUR kid's their childhood's back with "The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Marvelous Inventions of Arnold Fernald, December 1, 2000

By 

Jay D. Anderson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald (Paperback)

I am 45 years old... my 44 year old brother came over and talked about how this book changed his life. He read it as a kid and became an inventor of sorts himself... a perpetual tinkerer. He wasn't sure of the name and I found it for him and ordered him a copy as well as my 9 year old son. It took some insistance to get by boy, Nick, to read it. He couldn't put it down and when my brother came over to visit he quized Nick on select parts of the book. They both smiled and laughed. Having read it myself I can tell you it is a most wonderful book. Buy it! Your kid will remember it always.