Trouble with Lemons (Fawcett Juniper) [Mass Market Paperback]

Daniel Hayes (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Fawcett Juniper

His real name was Tyler McAllister, but he felt like a lemon. He had allergies and nightmares, and was the only unfamous person in his family. But one night he and a friend went swimming at the forbidden quarry, and Tyler found a dead body. Now he's determined to find out who killed the man and why they're now after him....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Things are tough enough for eighth-grader Tyler McAllister before he bumps into a dead body while swimming in the quarry. Tyler is trying to understand why he is allergic to almost everything in the world, how he could have saved his parents' marriage and why his father had to die in a plane crash. Trying to cope with a move from L.A. to upstate New York, the boy sorely misses his mother and brother who are away filming movies. Tyler is suddenly thrust into the midst of a murder case, the resolution of which seems to depend upon him. As the investigation grows increasingly confusing and overwhelming, Tyler's previous dilemmas gradually become lucid and surmountable. (Hayes beautifully draws a contrast between these two facets of Tyler's life.) Tyler gains new perspectives, discovering friendship, love and self-respect as he works through his problems. Tyler's unique, deftly drawn character highlights this carefully crafted, powerful story. As a mystery it is intriguing, but as a novel about introspection and self-acceptance, it is irresistible. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8-- Tyler and his best friend, Lymie, go to the local quarry for a forbidden late night dip, but quickly find themselves swimming with a dead body. Beating a swift retreat, they report their discovery to the sheriff anonymously and suspect that the man, a maintenance worker from school, was murdered. Meanwhile, Tyler has other problems to deal with; he feels like a total failure, certain that he is a magnet for trouble. His father is dead; his mother and brother are movie stars who are away for long periods. But Tyler proves to be resilient if unsure of himself. A popular girl befriends him; with Lymie, they try to puzzle out the mystery of the dead man. While that plot will hold readers until the end, Tyler is the real star of this story. All his good intentions seem to go awry, and he is constantly apologizing for himself. His discovery that "life isn't just good guys fighting bad guys" is an important step towards maturity, and he is a three-dimensional character with whom many middle schoolers will readily identify. This first-time author offers a fast-paced mystery and an excellent coming-of-age story as well. --Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (June 22, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449704165
• ISBN-13: 978-0449704165
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 0.4 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel Hayes lives in the town of Easton in Upstate New York, at the southern end of scenic Washington County. Born April 17, 1952, he attended school in Greenwich, New York, which became the fictional village of Wakefield in his novels. He currently teaches 11th grade English at Troy High School and creative writing for Hudson Valley Community College. His goal, in addition to writing more books (his fifth, My Kind of Crazy, is on the way), is to someday see film versions of his novels. Having fielded a number of queries from various producers over the years, he hopes, eventually, to be able to put Tyler and Lymie and the rest of his cast of characters up on the big screen. Should this happen, due to his considerable acting skills, he feels he should, at the very least, be considered for the role of the dead body in The Trouble with Lemons. He's already working on his ability to float face down.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Trouble with Lemons, February 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Trouble with Lemons (Fawcett Juniper) (Mass Market Paperback)

The book The Trouble with Lemons by Daniel Hayes is a really good and exciting book! It has a lot of action, and mystery! It is about two friends (Lymie, and Tyler) that find something that they should have never found if it weren't for them sneaking out in the middle of the night. From there on Tyler gets in a lot of trouble with friends, family, schoolmates, and even the principle! What they found I'll leave it up to you to find out! I don't want to spoil the entire book for you! The Trouble with Lemons is now on my top ten list!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best tasting lemon!, February 19, 2000

By 

Tamara (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trouble with Lemons (Fawcett Juniper) (Mass Market Paperback)

This might sound really immature, but the only reason I read the book was because of the cover illustration! Then I started reading it, and it became my favorite book of all time. The suspense is incredible and makes you want to read it again and again! I read it every chance I get now!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trouble With Lemons, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Trouble with Lemons (Fawcett Juniper) (Mass Market Paperback)

THE TROUBLE WITH LEMONS

The book Trouble With Lemons was about this 12-year old boy named Tyler and his friend Lymie. Tyler's dad had died and his mom is a famous actress. His older brother is an actor working on being famous. His mom is gone most of the time out making movie. He also has a housekeeper named Mrs. Saunders she watches him when his family is out of town. Tyler and Lymie sneak out one night to go to the quarry. They start to go swimming and Tyler bumps into a dead body. They run home to call the police. The police go to the scene to investigate. Will they find out who the murderer is? The only way you will find out is if you read the rest of the book. It is a really great book.