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HORTON HALFPOTT: OR, THE FIENDISH MYSTERY OF SMUGWICK MANOR; OR, THE LOOSENING OF M'LADY LUGGERTUCK'S CORSET

Horton Halfpott
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Angleberger
Author's First Name: 
Tom
Publisher: 
Amulet
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Already nominated as an audio book, this is a "rip-roaring" read with shipless pirates, stable boys, wigs, life on the inside and the outside, and chaos and confusion all caused by a simple decision to loosen the strings on a corset. This is just a great romp in all venues and the illustrations here add to the charm of the story. Ten to Fourteen.

 See the annotation under "Audio."

Comments

Meeting Notes for July

Meeting Notes for July 8
 

Positive Comments:

  • This quirky book contains identifiable characters that have not before appeared in children’s stories.
  • The unpredictable and fresh story offers a well-plotted and easily-followed mystery.

Observations:

  • References to stories that do not actually exist will mislead readers, and they will then ask for them in the library.
  • This story will appeal to a lot of different readers.

Concerns:

  • The author’s intrusions are too heavy-handed with foreshadowing.
  • The story contains several loose ends that do not go anywhere (except probably to a sequel).
  • The various plot ideas make the story seem as if it tries too hard.