Customer Reviews

Regarding the Sink: Where, Oh Where, Did Waters Go?

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm in 9th grade and I just got this book for christmas. It had been on my wish list for quite some time. I love all of Kate Klise's books, and this one was no exception. Kate Klise's cleverness, combined with her sister, M. Sarah Klise's, drawings make for one of the best books I have read in a while.
I would reccomend any of Klise's books to children of all ages. It's got everything a great mook should have- beans, cows, crabby old ladies, clogged sinks, and a class field trip to China.

Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise have written a fun, clever sequel to their popular middle-grade novel, REGARDING THE FOUNTAIN. We find ourselves once again immersed in a mystery with the Geyser Creek Middle School sixth-grade class in REGARDING THE SINK.

The trouble begins with a clogged cafeteria sink. The smell is just awful and the student body can't stand it much longer. The sixth graders want their old friend, Florence Waters, to design a new sink for them. Florence previously designed a new fountain for their school when the school's drinking fountain sprang a leak. The children have many suggestions for Florence, including a winking sink and a sink with a built-in computer. But all of the letters to Florence go unanswered and the children fear the worst has happened. They then find out that Florence has gone to China to help the endangered Sinkiang Spotted Suckerfish.

The sixth grade class has their work cut out for them. While they are trying to raise money for a class trip to visit Florence, their school lunches are replaced with beans, the price of milk goes through the roof, and AIR-gate Inc. wants to replace rainstorms with man-made rain, which falls only at night. Are the sixth-graders and their patient teacher, Mr. Sam N., up to the challenge of solving these and other mysteries?

This entire story is told through letters, news reports, advertisements and drawings. At first I found this writing style distracting, but once I focused on the story contained in the letters, etc., I thoroughly enjoyed it. Children who are hesitant to read novels with small print and large chunks of text will eat up this book's lively format.

REGARDING THE SINK is a fun read for older elementary-aged students. I intend to pick up other books written by the talented author/illustrator team of Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise.

--- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)

The cafeteria sink at Geyser Creek Middle School is clogged, and the stench arising from the pipes is getting worse and worse every single day. So teacher Sam N.'s sixth-grade class decide to do something about it. They decide to hire their friend, and fountain designer, Florence Waters to design and build an intrepid new sink for the cafeteria. However, the famous designer is missing, so the kids decide to find out where she's disappeared to. With a little research, and an expensive school trip, the sixth-graders learn that Florence is in Sinkiang, China, so that's where they head. However, while there they find many mysterious happenings, such as a company that promises the public that it will only rain at night, their principal's cranky Mother, crooked politicians, and endangered Chinese fish.

Written through newspaper articles, letters, e-mails, drawings, and class reports, this latest effort from the Klise sisters is a must-have. The plot of the story is enjoyable, and will have even the pickiest readers rolling on the floor laughing, while at the same time learning small bits of information about stocks, politics, and inventions. Whether you're a fan of previous books written by Kate Klise and illustrated by M. Sarah Klise, or not, this is a book that everyone will adore, including adults, and older siblings.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

"Yahoo! At long last, Kate and Sarah Klise have penned a sequel to "Regarding the Fountain," the wildly popular and award-winning book about the clever kids of Geyser Creek Middle School.

"Regarding the Sink" is a fun-filled (and pun-filled) mystery told in letters, newspaper stories, blackboard jottings, sink designs, feng shui instructions, stock quotes and tips, BEAN-MAIL, and even a singing telegram that really spills the beans. This is the stuff kids love to read, and read easily.

The story? When the school¹s cafeteria sink becomes hopelessly clogged, Sam N's sixth-grade class turns to Florence Waters, their "Fountain Designer and Friend Extraordinaire." Alas, Flo has been missing for months -¬ in China.

The kids get the money they need for a class trip to Asia, where they follow their noses, go with the flow, and "use their beans" to uncover a nasty scheme orchestrated by none other than their own U.S. senator.

Naturally, they also rescue their friend Florence. (Adults who read this book along with their children may, like me, make a connection between Sen. Ergass' company, AIR-igate, and California's least-favorite energy supplier, Enron.)

This is a fabulously fun book for kids to read and re-read.

It also may inspire them to write a nice letter to someone they care about, since "a good letter is priceless." "

-- Excerpted with permission from a published review in the Palo Alto (CA) Weekly, written by columnist/reviewer Debbie Duncan

Great book for real mystery lovers.It just gets better as you read more of it.

I found this book at discount in a store closing. The picture style reminded me of Roald Dahl books when I was younger, of course the pictures were done by Quentin Blake. It was a good deal so I thought why not, they of course had other regarding books there but only picked up 3 of the 5, and boy do a regret that now, (already put in my order on Amazon for the 2 books I didn't pick up).

I read the first one Regarding the Fountain, and I read this one almost right after it. I didn't know what to expect from the sequel because the other was so unique I didn't know what else to author could do but she pulled through with yet another interesting read that was full of mystery and fun. This book was about the middle school needing a sink now for the cafeteria so of course they think of the fountain designer, flo waters for the job. For some reason though she hasn't replied to their letters and they start to get worried, where is flo? Interesting read, this book is a little longer than the first, I thought this book ended really suddenly but that's just me, it still ended well and it was very interesting. I would definitely recommend this book too.

I love this book, but the whole series is good as well! It's funny enough for kids AND adults to enjoy.
The best part about it is that it is written in letters, memos, newspaper clippings, etc, which makes the book fun to read. I would recommends this book (and the whole series) to everyone!
If you like this book, you will also like Kate Klise's other books, Trial by Journal, and Letters from Camp since they are written in the same format.

I really enjoyed Regarding the Sink. This book is mainly about a class of sixth graders who are determined to find a fountain designer, Florence Waters, to design their new sink. They're willing to go all the way to China to find her. My favorite part was the sixth grade class trip. Anyone who likes sixth graders, crabby ladies, principals, and mysteries would like this book. Regarding the Sink is told using newspapers, letters, and bean mail which I think just makes it more unique and interesting. Some people might find that distracting but, in my opinion, that is what makes it a five star book. By Kristen Glick

My pre-teen daughter likes this type of writing and thinking. It seems to suite her way of thinking. I just want the children to read as much as possible.

The sink at the middle school is clogged. It is starting to smell really bad due to all the stuff that is stuck in the pipes. The students have a famous fountain designer friend that they think can help design a new sink for them. Only problem is that she is missing! The story is all about the student's journey to solving the mystery!