The Mysterious Matter of I. M. Fine [Hardcover]

Diane Stanley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Strange things have been happening at Franny's new school.

First it was the Jelly Worm Fad.

Then came the exploding headaches that kept students home for days.

When the latest creepy phenomenon lands her sister in the hospital, Franny and her new friend, Beamer, try to get to the bottom of it.

Following a hunch, Franny discovers the one link that all these kids share -- they're rabid fans of I. M. Fine, author of the mega-popular Chillers series.

But I. M. Fine is nowhere to be found ... or is he)

Admirers of Diane Stanley's celebrated nonfiction picture-book biographies and her critically acclaimed novel, A TIME APART, are in for a treat as she shows her playful side in this quirky, fast-paced, and humorous mystery.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stanley reveals yet another dimension of her talents in her second novel (after A Time Apart), here serving up a witty story that manages to be both light and satisfying. Fifth-grade narrator Franny Sharp, having just entered yet another new school, cements her friendship with the independent Beamer as the two notice how many of the other kids in the cafeteria are playing, riotously and continuously, with Jelly Worm candies. Franny sees the connection between the sudden fad and writer I.M. Fine's latest Chillers book, The Worm Turns (in it the Jelly Worms come to life and destroy Cleveland). The next Chillers release, about a microwave that causes excruciating headaches, coincides with the outbreak of a virus characterized by... headaches. As Franny and Beamer investigate, Stanley cheerfully sends up horror series fiction, unfolds a mystery involving orphan twins separated in childhood and repeatedly testifies to the pleasures of reading classics and fluff. She creates depth with rich but offhand characterizations of family life (Franny's younger twins are named Zo‰ and J.D., a fact delivered without jokiness) and by introducing tough subject matter (the painful effects of McCarthyism play a significant role). Superior entertainment, this work should engage both ambitious readers and diehard fans of the genre it satirizes. Ages 9-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Stanley explores the power of the written word in this lively suspense story. Franny and her family have just relocated to Baltimore, the latest in a long series of moves. Almost immediately, the fifth grader notices that practically everyone in her new school is crazy about Jelly Worms candy, made popular by the latest title in the "Chillers" series of horror novels that is making the rounds. It's an innocent enough fad, but then events take an insidious turn. First, a virus seemingly strikes only those who have read the next book in the series. Then, Sinister Serpent Surprise is published and an epidemic of snakelike behavior sweeps through schools across America. Franny is convinced that, somehow, the books induced these symptoms and determines to track down the reclusive author. Using reference material at the local library and the Internet, she and her friend Beamer find Ida May Fine. They discover that, indeed, Ida is using her books to avenge her father's death many years ago, and that her next book will be the ultimate weapon. Stanley's writing captures the flavor of horror novels, and at the same time brings in themes ranging from the House Un-American Activities Committee to the popularity of horror series and the effect of frequent relocation on children. This book will be enjoyed by fans of R. L. Stine and also by those who love a good mystery.

Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688175465
• ISBN-13: 978-0688175467
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,795,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane Stanley is the author and illustrator of more than fifty books for children, noted especially for her series of picture book biographies. SHAKA: KING OF THE ZULUS was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; LEONARDO DA VINCI received the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction from the National Council for Teachers of English. Ten of her books have been honored as "Notable Books" by the American Library Association and she has twice received both the Boston Globe/Hornbook Award and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Golden Kite Award. She is the recipient of the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Nonfiction for the body of her work.

She lives in Santa Fe, NM. Visit her website at dianestanley.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm surprised, I really enjoyed this mystery, August 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mysterious Matter of I. M. Fine (Library Binding)

When two children, Franny and Beamer become concerned with the behavior of the children at their school, they decide to investigate the mystery behind the children's behavior. What is the connection? Is there a connection? Why are so many children doing the same thing?

I read this book with my son as part of his Summer Reading Program. My son enjoyed the copy we borrowed so much that we had to buy our own. It made him think about what and why children do the things they do. It was a fun read for him. I must admit that I'm surprised I actually enjoyed it. The photo on the cover appeared to be very chilling. Once we started reading the book we found it to be very thrilling, full of suspense and humor.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clever and entertaining parody., August 2, 2001

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mysterious Matter of I. M. Fine (Hardcover)

Franny and Beamer just don't get the whole I.M. Fine thing. Sure, I.M. Fine's Chillers books are a hit with kids everywhere. But what's so great about them? Something, apparently, because I.M. Fine has become the best-selling children's book author in the country. When jelly worms are featured in a Chillers book, suddenly kids everywhere go crazy, buying tons of jelly worms. That doesn't seem so bad. But then everyone who reads the next Chillers book, about an exploding head, gets a horrible headache that lasts for several days and is cured by nothing. Franny and Beamer are suspicious of I.M. Fine, but they have no proof that the books are causing the strange behavior. Then a Chillers book about ghosts causes kids to think they see ghosts, and one about snakes causes its readers to act like snakes. Franny and Beamer now know I.M. Fine is to blame. They have to stop him or her, but first they have to track this mysterious author down. This was a clever, spooky, and entertaining parody on kids and how they react to fads.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 3rd grade son is loving it!, November 10, 2009

By 

Michelle Mann "MMann" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mysterious Matter of I. M. Fine (Paperback)

I read a lot with my 3rd grader, trying to get him to love books more than video games. This morning he was still in his room before school and breakfast was waiting, so I went in to get him, and he was laying on his bed engrossed in this book! I was so thrilled, I quietly tip-toed away, and let him keep reading until the last possible minute. The story is NOT that scary, and so implausible that only the most sensitive kids would be bothered by it. If you want a story that will hook your lukewarm reader, this may be it! I will look for other books by this author.