The Mystery of Silas Finklebean (Freddy and the French Fries No.2) [Paperback]

David Baldacci (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

In this sequel to "Fries Alive!," Freddy Funkhauser discovers the lab of long-lost scientist Silas Finklebean, along with instructions on how to build a time machine. With Finklebean's help, Freddie is determined to prove himself to bully Adam Spanker.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-In this slapdash sequel to Fries Alive! (Little Brown, 2005), the nine-year-old genius and his giant spuds are preparing to compete in the local science fair. They discover a hidden tunnel under the Burger Castle, the Funkhouser family's restaurant, and encounter a weird apparition floating in the air. Deciding that ghosts would make an unbeatable project, they begin to research the Castle's history. They learn that it was once owned by inventor Silas Finklebean, who vanished mysteriously. When they find his laboratory and logbook of plans, they attempt to reconstruct his time machine. Meanwhile, town bully Adam Spanker and his father, owners of the rival Patty Cakes restaurant, are plotting to drive the Funkhousers out of business. Can Freddy and the Fries find a way to save the Castle? The over-the-top action is often difficult to follow and there is little depth of character. The pervasive body and insult humor is reminiscent of a second-grade playground. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations are mildly amusing, but add little. Adult thriller author Baldacci is aiming at Captain Underpants graduates, but this novel lacks both the imagination and the underlying logic of that gleefully anarchic series. Steer readers to Dan Greenburg's Zack Files (Grosset & Dunlap) or Jon Scieszka's Time Warp Trio (Viking).-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
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About the Author

David Baldacci is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels including Hour Game, Split Second and The Christmas Train. His books are published in over 30 languages in more than 80 countries. There are nearly 40 million copies in print worldwide.

Rudy Baldacci's thirty-year career as an artist includes work created in numerous media for clients around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (June 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316059005
• ISBN-13: 978-0316059008
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Baldacci was born in Virginia, in 1960, where he currently resides. He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Mr. Baldacci practiced law for nine years in Washington, D.C., as both a trial and corporate attorney.
David Baldacci has published seventeen novels: Absolute Power, Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth, Saving Faith, Wish You Well, Last Man Standing, The Christmas Train, Split Second, Hour Game, The Camel Club, The Collectors, Simple Genius, Stone Cold, and The Whole Truth; and in his young adult series, Freddy and the French Fries: Fries Alive! and Freddy and the French Fries: The Adventures of Silas Finklebean. He has also published a novella for the Dutch entitled Office Hours, written for Holland's Year 2000 "Month of the Thriller." Baldacci authored a short story, "The Mighty Johns," as part of a mystery anthology published in 2002.