The Misadventures of Millicent Madding #1: Bully-Be-Gone [Hardcover]

Brian Tacang (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: The Misadventures of Millicent Madding

As an inventor, Millicent knows this formula by heart. But a series of failures -- like the Ever-Juicy Gum Enhancer Pellet (a bit too juicy) and the Retractable Ponytail Holder (a hairy mess) -- have left her a few beakers short on faith. Even Millicent's best friends in The Wunderkind Club are ready to give up on her inventions.

Bully-Be-Gone, her latest creation, should be the breakthrough Millicent needs. After all, her formula for thwarting the enemies of overachievers everywhere is foolproof.

Almost foolproof.

Before long, Millicent has a disaster of monumental proportions on her hands. With only days to concoct an antidote, her friendships -- and her future as an inventor -- hang in the balance.

Brian Tacang's debut novel takes readers on a wild ride through the fantastic town of Masonville, where eccentric scientists and burly librarians, long-lost circus performers and bullies abound, and where science and miracles sometimes collide.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–Millicent Madding, 12, is descended from a long line of scientists known for their amazing inventions. Six years ago, her parents disappeared while testing their new time machine and Millicent moved in with her absent-minded Uncle Phineas. His wife, a famous acrobat, was shot out of a forceful cannon 20 years ago and has not been seen since. Millicent is a member of the top-secret Wunderkind Club, a group of advanced students who, aided by a very special librarian, meet in a hidden room in the public library. It is at these gatherings that the young people unveil their latest inventions. Since the group is frequently the target of bullies, Millicent creates a fragrance called Bully-Be-Gone. The application of this supposed repellent goes awry like many of her inventions, causing the bullies to become infatuated with their former victims. Millicent's friends are furious with her and she works hard to create an antidote to reverse the effects. However, her uncle's reaction to the scent leads to an unexpected reunion. The book has zippy dialogue and brilliant use of alliteration, and the author shows a Dickensian talent for creating descriptive names. The eccentric characters are fun, and the silly but substantive plot will surely appeal to children.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY
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About the Author

Brian Tacang was a fashion designer for many years before becoming a writer. He lives in a haunted house made of dirt in El Prado, New Mexico. This is his second book.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060739118
• ISBN-13: 978-0060739119
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,566,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The youngest of five children born to Filipino immigrant parents, Brian Tacang was reared in Fremont, California, a suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a movie director, or an author of fantasy books, or an artist when he grew up. He eventually became a fashion designer, then, at an age when the average person is settled into a career, he just "decided" to pursue another of his childhood fantasies and become an author. His first two novels, published by HarperCollins Publishers, were both New Mexico Book Awards Finalists, and the second one (The Model President) just won a bronze medal in the 2010 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards--given to authors of outstanding children's books written for the North American market--in the Pre-Teen General Fiction category. Ten years into his writing adventure, he is working on two books. One is a young-adult novel and the other is a middle-grade-reader's novel that features some of his favorite things: travel, eccentric tweeners, costumes, clones, lobsters, and magic. He and his partner live in a haunted, 250-plus-year-old adobe house they bought from author, Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way), in a little village called Arroyo Seco, outside of Taos, New Mexico.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tacang's "Misadventures of Millicent Madding #1"- a great read, March 29, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Misadventures of Millicent Madding #1: Bully-Be-Gone (Library Binding)

I am an avid book reader, and so I can be choosey. Though I had not heard of this book, when my relative gave it to me, I read it non-stop - it was that exciting, interesting, funny (in a way) and just plain great. You really, in a way, start to feel sorry for Millecent Madding and all her misadventures. And that's just in one book. The ending really leaves you wanting to know her next misadventure.Though it is targeted towards middle grade readers, I think anyone would still find it nice, as in the story's plot. I cannot wait untill the next book in the series comes out! Way to go, Brian!
P.S.-I like the illustrations on the cover!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed this Book!, March 23, 2006

By 

All Hart "lhartnett" (Masonville?) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Misadventures of Millicent Madding #1: Bully-Be-Gone (Library Binding)

This was a 'fun read'. The characters were vivid and entertaining - even the supporting people had enough of a 'background' to be interesting ie the school principal Mr. Pennystacker who had a Saint Bernard called Mad Dog when he was a child. Millicent is an inventor-in-training and misadventures are a natural result of her best efforts to help others. I enjoyed the subplot with her Uncle and lost Aunt as well - it allowed the author to introduce some of the best characters in the book. I hope there will be further 'Misadventures' to come!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Misadventures of Millicent Madding is Magnificent!, March 18, 2006

By 

B. Devaney (SF Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Misadventures of Millicent Madding #1: Bully-Be-Gone (Library Binding)

While Brian Tacang's debut book targets middle school readers, he has certainly captured the heart of this 40-something Wunderkind wannabe. This book isn't just for those who have ever had the misfortune of being bullied because they are a brain or artistically gifted. Young and old minds alike are engaged with the Wunderkind elite, and other wonderfully wacky characters in magical Masonville, as Millicent's latest invention wreaks havoc and the amnesiac Felicity tries to find her way home. The author takes the reader on a precarious, often hilarious, non-stop journey through a place that is imaginatively wrought with old-fashioned sentiment and modern day diversity. Adept descriptive narration, cleverness and momentum carry the reader to an ending that is warm and fuzzy--and especially inspiring to those of us who need a little courage to become more of who we are.