From Russia with Lunch: A Chet Gecko Mystery [Hardcover]

Bruce Hale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Chet Gecko

Inventions, spells, and bullies—oh my!

It all begins when Chet’s favorite teacher is fired, only to be replaced by the mechanical invention of Dr. Tanya Lightov—a mysterious Russian scientist.
Suddenly, the school seems possessed by forces that are upsetting the natural order of things: Kindergartners are beating up sixth graders; teachers’ pets are talking back; and worst of all, Chet’s faithful partner and best friend, Natalie Attired, has abandoned him in his hour of need.
Will Chet be able to restore his friendship with Natalie and bring Emerson Hicky back to normal? One thing’s for certain: The crazy, mixed-up mastermind behind this case will be the last creature anyone expects.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When a mystery arises, possibly involving members of the school staff replaced by contraptions such as the Bibliomalgamator, which slings inappropriate books at students, and the Munchmeister 2000, which dispenses bowls of pizza-flavored glop, Chet Gecko, “Emerson Hicky Elementary’s top lizard detective,” and his partner in crime solution, mockingbird Natalie Attired, spring into action. The story unfolds in Chet’s entertaining first-person narrative, laced with puns, wisecracks, and mentions of edible treats involving insect ingredients. Illustrated with occasional pencil drawings, this amusing book concludes with the famous grade-school gumshoe introducing each of the 13 previous volumes in the popular Chet Gecko Mystery series. Grades 3-5. --Carolyn Phelan

Review

"The story unfolds in Chet’s entertaining first-person narrative, laced with puns, wisecracks, and mentions of edible treats involving insect ingredients. Illustrated with occasional pencil drawings, this amusing book concludes with the famous grade-school gumshoe introducing each of the 13 previous volumes in the popular Chet Gecko Mystery series."—Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015205488X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152054885
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,096,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Edgar-nominated author Bruce Hale is passionate about inspiring reluctant readers to read. He has written or illustrated more than 25 seriously funny books for children, including the popular Chet Gecko Mysteries series and the comics-novel hybrid, Underwhere, as well as picture books like "Snoring Beauty" and "Moki and the Magic Surfboard."

An actor and Fulbright Scholar in Storytelling, Bruce is in demand as a speaker, having presented at conferences, universities, and schools across North America - from the Maui Writers Conference to the Surrey International Writers Conference in British Columbia. His acting resume includes regional commercials, theater, and an independent film, The Ride. Bruce's book, "The Malted Falcon," was an Edgar Award Finalist. "Murder, My Tweet" won the Little D Award for Humor Writing.

A little-known fact: Bruce loves jazz, and sings with an a cappella group called VocalPoint in Santa Barbara