The Mystery of the Tooth Gremlin (Hyperion Chapters) [Hardcover]

Bonnie Graves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997 | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Hyperion Chapters

Although he wants to track down the Tooth Gremlin, Jesse has to read three books by Friday, or his class cannot go on a field trip.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-3?Jesse doesn't like to read and he especially doesn't like book reports. Then he finds he must finish three books by the end of the week or cause his whole class to miss out on a field trip. When he loses his first tooth, it is promptly stolen off his desk with only a note from the Tooth Gremlin as a clue. Maxine, a fellow student, attempts to help Jesse solve the case by persuading him to read some mysteries, and in that way he both uncovers the perpetrator and completes four books. It is amusing to see Jesse duped into reading and actually enjoying the books, and though some readers may figure out the mystery before Jesse does, this is still an inventive and delightful story. Maxine is an intelligent and wily character while Jesse is a non-reader with whom some young people will undoubtedly identify. The black-and-white cartoon sketches are appealing. Unfortunately, the puzzles, mazes, and other games included at the back encourage children to write in the book.?Carrie A. Guarria, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4. If Jesse Stone doesn't keep his promise to read three books by Friday, his class won't be able to go on a field trip. He makes the promise because he's never seen his name on the book report chart. He hasn't seen his name on the missing tooth chart either, and as he wiggles his loose tooth, he thinks his time may have come for both. Unfortunately, getting on the charts turns out to be more difficult than he expected, especially when someone steals his tooth just after it falls out. It takes his clever classmate Maxine to help solve the "crime" and help him keep his reading promise. The narrative doesn't always flow well, and the syntax seems occasionally too complicated for the chapter-book audience, but kids will still relate to Jesse's dilemma and respect what the books he finally reads do for him. An additional purchase. Kathleen Squires

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786822384
• ISBN-13: 978-0786822386
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,116,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars My second grader rated it his favorite book ever., September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mystery of the Tooth Gremlin (Hyperion Chapters) (Hardcover)

This is a true mystery. The night I began reading it with my seven-year-old boy, I could hardly get him to put it down and go to sleep. He wanted to finish it that night.

Jesse is an engaging hero who draws kids in because they have so much in common with him. He is losing his first tooth, trying to get along okay in school, and having plenty of trouble getting his three books read so the class can visit the police station.

Jesse's friends are believable and the way clues unfold and suspects react-- makes the Tooth Gremlin a short but brilliant example of the mystery genre at its finest.

It's so rare to read a children's book that has an engaging puzzle to solve and real suspense built in. My son has read it over and over. We never tire of Jesse, his problems, and the clever ending that make the Mystery of the Tooth Gremlin a great read.