Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins—adults—named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Luckily for you, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn't?!).
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A great book for kids who love puzzles and humor. Weiner's narrators steal the show with their use of sarcasm and wit." - Halley Pucker, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"This entertaining series will win over word lovers, mystery and puzzle solvers, fans of gadgets and those who previously had not thought of themselves as readers" - Shelf Awareness, starred review
"This book is for those students who enjoy a little sarcasm with their humor." - Library Media Connection
"This book a) is extraordinarily snarky, b) has glorious illustrations, c) is sure to be a hit, d) all of the above?" - NerdyBookClub.com
"The scene-hogging narrator steals the show in this clever series opener." - Kirkus Reviews
"The narrator's antics are one of the book's great charms" - Time Out Chicago Kids, Best New Kit Lit Series of 2012
"The narrator plays as big a role (or bigger) as any of the characters, constantly wisecracking, setting up scenes and occasionally berating the reader." - SFGate.com
"The most prominent character is the self-satisfied and aggressively intrusive Narrator, whose banter with readers instantly sets a comedic, sarcastic tone" - Publishers Weekly
"Readers... will welcome this and the duo's future exploits." - Booklist
"Illustrations.play up the story's humor as well as highlighting the twins' ingenuity." - The Horn Book
"If you've got smart (or maybe smart-mouthed) kids, they'll get a kick out of The Templeton Twins" - Wired.com's GeekDads
"Anyone with a sly sense of humor is sure to love this book and cry out for "More, please!" " - Reading Today
"An irresistible start to a planned series" - Common Sense Media
"An entertaining start to a new series." - School Library Journal
"A rip roaring fun read that is a must share." - Shannon Messenger/Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
"A page-turning and funny tale." -Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review
"A hilarious and clever adventure " - Education.com
"This entertaining series will win over word lovers, mystery and puzzle solvers, fans of gadgets and those who previously had not thought of themselves as readers" - Shelf Awareness, starred review
"This book is for those students who enjoy a little sarcasm with their humor." - Library Media Connection
"This book a) is extraordinarily snarky, b) has glorious illustrations, c) is sure to be a hit, d) all of the above?" - NerdyBookClub.com
"The scene-hogging narrator steals the show in this clever series opener." - Kirkus Reviews
"The narrator's antics are one of the book's great charms" - Time Out Chicago Kids, Best New Kit Lit Series of 2012
"The narrator plays as big a role (or bigger) as any of the characters, constantly wisecracking, setting up scenes and occasionally berating the reader." - SFGate.com
"The most prominent character is the self-satisfied and aggressively intrusive Narrator, whose banter with readers instantly sets a comedic, sarcastic tone" - Publishers Weekly
"Readers... will welcome this and the duo's future exploits." - Booklist
"Illustrations.play up the story's humor as well as highlighting the twins' ingenuity." - The Horn Book
"If you've got smart (or maybe smart-mouthed) kids, they'll get a kick out of The Templeton Twins" - Wired.com's GeekDads
"Anyone with a sly sense of humor is sure to love this book and cry out for "More, please!" " - Reading Today
"An irresistible start to a planned series" - Common Sense Media
"An entertaining start to a new series." - School Library Journal
"A rip roaring fun read that is a must share." - Shannon Messenger/Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
"A page-turning and funny tale." -Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review
"A hilarious and clever adventure " - Education.com
About the Author
Ellis Weiner is a contributor to the New Yorker and a regular blogger for the Huffington Post. He is also the author of several books, including Yiddish with Dick and Jane, which he co-authored with his wife. He lives in southern California.
Jeremy Holmes is the creative mind behind Mutt Ink, a graphic design studio. His first book, There Was an Old Lady (also published by Chronicle), was awarded BolognaRazzi's Opera Prima award at the 2010 Bologna Book Fair. He lives in Pennsylvania.
Jeremy Holmes is the creative mind behind Mutt Ink, a graphic design studio. His first book, There Was an Old Lady (also published by Chronicle), was awarded BolognaRazzi's Opera Prima award at the 2010 Bologna Book Fair. He lives in Pennsylvania.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The Templeton Twins are your normal, average kids - with a professor for a father, a mother who died, a new dog...and a kidnapper. Actually, not one kidnapper, but two. And to get away, they will need their hobbies, their dog - and "an idea".
I enjoyed the book, for the most part. The story is told by a Narrator who breaks into the story on a regular basis for commentary of his/her own. It's fun, in a smart-alecky sort of way, though it can also be somewhat distracting as well. Breaking the flow of the reader, particularly younger readers, can be a risky move. Whether kids will appreciate it or not will depend on the individual reader. The Narrator did have quite the personality, and so that helped.
The chapters are fairly short - this is not War & Peace, that's for sure. Lots of diagrams and drawings, and even a recipe for meatloaf (it does tie in with the story). The story moves at a fairly fast pace, and while there is a definite resolution, it also leaves an opening for further books. I don't know that the book captured my interest enough to be anxious about any sequels, but again - depending on the individual reader, kids can be very loyal to a series that they enjoy. As a parent and a teacher, I did appreciate the language-based definitions and descriptions that were woven into the story. Any time you can help a child learn while they are enjoying a story is a bonus.
The age range for a stand-alone reader is probably from higher second grade to lower sixth grade. It's definitely not in the YA category - this is for the readers that fall between children's books and the YA section. This would also be a good read for those who have a hard time finishing longer books.
The Templeton Twins are certainly worth checking out. Being as this is the first book in what seems like a potential series, there was some ground to cover for back story, which the next book(s) wouldn't necessarily have - allowing for more of the adventure to shine through. And the Narrator tries very hard (and almost succeeds) in highjacking the story from the Twins - and since there is no information on who exactly he/she might be, curiosity might compel some kids to continue with the series. As John says in the book, "Let's do it and view it!".
I enjoyed the book, for the most part. The story is told by a Narrator who breaks into the story on a regular basis for commentary of his/her own. It's fun, in a smart-alecky sort of way, though it can also be somewhat distracting as well. Breaking the flow of the reader, particularly younger readers, can be a risky move. Whether kids will appreciate it or not will depend on the individual reader. The Narrator did have quite the personality, and so that helped.
The chapters are fairly short - this is not War & Peace, that's for sure. Lots of diagrams and drawings, and even a recipe for meatloaf (it does tie in with the story). The story moves at a fairly fast pace, and while there is a definite resolution, it also leaves an opening for further books. I don't know that the book captured my interest enough to be anxious about any sequels, but again - depending on the individual reader, kids can be very loyal to a series that they enjoy. As a parent and a teacher, I did appreciate the language-based definitions and descriptions that were woven into the story. Any time you can help a child learn while they are enjoying a story is a bonus.
The age range for a stand-alone reader is probably from higher second grade to lower sixth grade. It's definitely not in the YA category - this is for the readers that fall between children's books and the YA section. This would also be a good read for those who have a hard time finishing longer books.
The Templeton Twins are certainly worth checking out. Being as this is the first book in what seems like a potential series, there was some ground to cover for back story, which the next book(s) wouldn't necessarily have - allowing for more of the adventure to shine through. And the Narrator tries very hard (and almost succeeds) in highjacking the story from the Twins - and since there is no information on who exactly he/she might be, curiosity might compel some kids to continue with the series. As John says in the book, "Let's do it and view it!".
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I was a kid, I loved mystery stories. I loved solving puzzles, figuring things out. When I was the parent of a young reader, my son loved the same kind of book.Both of us would recommend this highly, to our elementary school selves.
The characters are quirky and funny. The narrator is quirky and funny. The twins are smart, well-developed leads, who defy gender stereotypes without being preachy about it. The threat posed by the bad guys is real enough to push the plot forward, but not so scary that it distracts from the jokes.
Can't wait for the next one.
The characters are quirky and funny. The narrator is quirky and funny. The twins are smart, well-developed leads, who defy gender stereotypes without being preachy about it. The threat posed by the bad guys is real enough to push the plot forward, but not so scary that it distracts from the jokes.
Can't wait for the next one.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This book is a fun read and very entertaing book. It reminds me alot of the Lemony Snicket "Series of Unfortunate Events" books. It has a narrator who tells the story and stops to explain everything in a joking kind of way. He explains words and why people do things. This kind of gets a little old after awhile though. Their are also a few funny questions at the end of the chapter that are just for fun like asking a multiple choice question and giving different varations of the same answer for the choices or asking you to write a 50,000 word story in French explaining what you thought about something. The story overall is pretty entertaing but does drag along a little bit after all of the stopping by the narrator to explain things.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for getting kids hooked on reading
The book starts out with a prolonged prologue - very funny and intriguing with unusual illustrations. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Y. R. Wu
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky Characters
(I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review)
I have pretty good kid readers in my house, so this one was read by a 2nd and a 4th grader It was... Read more
I have pretty good kid readers in my house, so this one was read by a 2nd and a 4th grader It was... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Beccaboney
2.0 out of 5 stars
Overshticked
I really wanted to like this book, but just couldn't. It has very little plot, protagonists without personality, and lots and lots AND LOTS of shtick with narrative voice. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Big Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't wait for the next book!
The Templeton house is a sad place. The Templeton twins, John and Abigail are dealing with the death of their mother. Read more
Published 1 month ago by This Kid Reviews Books
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
My son thought it was a really good book. He thought it was quite funny. I loved the introduction and prologue.
Published 2 months ago by Lisa J Bernstein
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book ever!!!!!!!!!!
I love this book. I can't wait for the next one to come out. The Narrator is so funny, and he is also annoying but that's what makes it funny!
Published 2 months ago by petty and perfect
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good storyline, awkward storytelling
I had high hopes for this book. The plot looked fun and the main characters seemed interesting and smart. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Beth E. Settje
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of your time!
This book isn't even a book at all. I would give a zero star rating if I could. It is just a load of gibberish copied from the style of Lemony Snicket's quirky narration. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Amazonbooklover
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the best book ever. It is very suspenseful. This is a book all readers should read. You should read it.
Published 3 months ago by CTfeather
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very clever and funny
For fans of Lemony Snicket, here's a new series that should tickle your fancy. I loved the "questions at the end of the chapter". Read more
Published 4 months ago by P. Hamm
