Great book for readers who like mysteries or readers who like building contraptions. And it's an excellent choice for any readers being chased by turkeys. Loved the systematic problem solving of the group of kids. Everyone played an important role and the mystery unravels well.

This was a fun read with my 6-year-old!

Funny story - I took my then 4 year old to a zoo and they had a turkey that walked around on it's own free will - needless to say he didn't seem to like us much :D Whenever we went even considerably close to him (and I'm talking 50 or so feet) he'd get noticeably irritated and get ready to attack us - we ended up leaving as it was a small zoo and we couldn't really walk around without the turkey giving us the mean eye and getting ready to charge - needless to say I think we'll stay away from that zoo from now on haha!

Pretty much why I requested the book. We enjoyed the story, and it kept us wanting to turn the pages for more! I do feel however that middle grade is pushing it on the appropriate level - perhaps more for 5-9 year olds range. The illustrations are also well done, and fun!

Younger Than Indicated

This is a fun late chapter book, but struck me as way too young for middle grade readers. Early elementary? Sure.

Happily, while it's all very straightforward, there is a lot going on here. I wondered how we could do 176 pages, (even with big print and wide margins and drawings), just about a kid being afraid of a turkey. Well, not to worry.

We start with Zack being annoyed by the humongous turkey. But then we get a neighbor girl sidekick. Then we start designing a Rube Goldberg turkey scarer. Then best pal Matt starts joining Zack on his weekend farm visits. Then we get a rash of small burglaries and a whodunit mystery. O.K., that's enough plot to keep the pages turning.

The narrative is direct and unadorned. Short, clear sentences. No irony or edge. This is a straight up low-key farm adventure. Everyone is calm and pleasant. No villains and no angst. You get a nice bit of farm life views in the background, and gentle upbeat family bonding and cooperation. It actually is like a visit to Grandma's farm, which isn't a bad thing. There is a lot of gentle humor and some amusing slapstick. Just when the Zack's-afraid-of-the-turkey stuff starts to get a bit much we switch gears into the rest of the story, and the pace never lets up until the happy ending. The drawings are effective and nicely complement the action.

So, this struck me as a fun and engaging farm tale, with a family and friendship feel and a bit of mystery. A nice read for a younger reader. (Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)