The Case of the Slime Stampede

January 1, 2015

Gr 3-5-When the cleaning slimes escape and proceed to demolish the schoolyard at Gravelmuck Elementary, Fizz Marlowe is on the case. Fizz considers himself a talented detective and he is determined to help the school janitor, Mr. Snag, escape punishment. Along with his best friend, mechanically inclined, high ponytail-wearing Tank, these two junior detectives proceed to gather clues and try to evade the eight legs of the spider school principal and her network of baby spider spies. The mystery grows when Fizz and Tank discover something sinister going on with the new cleaning company the school hires. Something slimy is running amok in Rockfall Mountains, and it isn't the cleaning slimes. This chapter book brims with reader appeal. Fizz's snappy personality and loyal nature make him a fun protagonist. He steals the show, eclipsing the slightly less-developed Tank. Thankfully, Tank's love of mechanics and engineering make her a unique and refreshing addition and her excitement jumps off the pages, helped by Deas's artwork. The world of Rockfall Mountains and its characters (gremlins, goblins, slimes, and monsters) is reminiscent of Pixar's famous "Monsters Inc." film series and may hold appeal for children who have grown up with those characters. While the artwork sometimes feels superfluous to the text, only adding minor dialogue scenes, it definitely brings the inhabitants of Rockfall Mountains to life. Though this first book in a new series is not a runaway success, there is still plenty of action, adventure, and imagination to make it a strong addition to library collections.-Sarah Wethern, Douglas County Library, Alexandria, MN

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2015
Grades 3-6 Fourth-grade detectives Tank and Fizz (she is an ogre; he is a goblin) have their work cut out for them when a rogue slime eats the principal's car. While evidence suggests negligence on the part of Mr. Snag, the school's caretaker, Tank and Fizz know he would never be so careless. When the duo discover forbidden magic and strange happenings in the tunnels under the school, it's clear something sinister is afoot, but can they clear Mr. Snag's name before it's too late? This first book in a new mystery series should appeal to young readers looking for a fun read with plenty of gross-out details (choco-slug cookies, anyone?). The simple, straightforward narrative makes for easy reading, and Tank and Fizz contrast each other nicely in their personalities and strengths. Though the frequent shifts from text to comic bookstyle panels can occasionally be jarring, Deas' charming illustrations are expressive, bring life to the text, and will likely keep readers, particularly reluctant readers, engaged. Punchy and entertaining, this fantasy detective tale will have broad appeal among fans of the genre.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

December 15, 2014
The game's afoot (so to speak) for two amateur sleuths when slime monsters belonging to the school custodian go on a rampage.Who let Gravelmuck Elementary's hardworking ("Slime acid is perfect for getting dried troll boogers off drinking fountains") if hazardous blobs loose? Seeing kindly old caretaker Thaxlin Snag dragged off to jail, fourth-graders Fizz Marlow and Tank Wrenchlin-a goblin and a troll, respectively-slide resolutely into an investigation of this obvious frame-up. Hints of major malfeasance in the works soon bubble into view as an exhibit of dragon treasures opens across the street from the school just as rumors surface that a gang of gremlin art thieves is in the area. Plopping a few red herrings into the stew along with lots of big, fat, obvious clues, O'Donnell rolls out a slick subterranean caper flavored with a diverse nonhuman cast, topped off with a suspenseful scramble. It's all served up with a quivering dollop of complications related to the uneasy local detente between monsters, who are more comfortable with machines, and the dark mages of Slick City's mysterious Shadow Tower. Deas' frequent cartoon illustrations add zesty incidents and punch lines to the plot. Young readers will slurp up the gumshoes' gooey first exploit with relish. And perhaps a few choco-slug cookies. (Mystery/fantasy. 9-11)

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