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Book Summary:
Chet Gecko is a detective in elementary school that solves any mystery that comes his way. One day a mystery falls right into his lap when his doodling in class earns him a trip to Principal Zero's office, but it doesn't take long for Chet to realize that there is something different about Principal Zero, he is being way too nice. Chet enlists the help of his friend Natalie, a mockingbird, to find out what is going on with Principal Zero, but what they do find out is that there are several new teachers and staff members in league with the "nice" Principal Zero. After several attempts to get to the bottom of this mystery, Chet and Natalie finally determine that the principal and his friends are trying to turn Emerson Hicky elementary school into a school for crooks. They then decide to visit Principal Zero's house only to discover the real Principal Zero tied up and being held hostage by the fake Principal Zero and his gang of fake teachers. They were going to trick the PTA into approving their new plans for the school at a meeting and after Chet and Natalie are captured and tied up with the real Principal Zero only to be rescued shortly after by Poppers. Principal Zero send Chet and Natalie to stall the PTA meeting to keep the vote from passing while he calls the cops. Chet and Natalie arrive just in time to delay the voting and shortly after the cops along with the real Principal Zero show up and announce the real plans of the fake Principal Zero and his gang and to arrest them all. Chet saves the day again, but for once he is glad that Principal Zero is not kind to him.
APA Reference of Book:
Hale, B. (2000). A Chet Gecko mystery: The mystery of Mr. Nice. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Inc.
Impressions:
The Mystery of Mr. Nice was an interesting and funny story to read and would especially appeal to boys interested in mysteries of the same style as the classic Dick Tracy. The language that was used as well as the illustrations were very reminiscent of the same styles used in the old black and white detective movies. While Chet and the reader knew that Principal Zero was not the one being so nice to Chet and the other trouble makers, the mystery of exactly what was happening was not easily determined before Chet and Natalie made the discoveries themselves. The illustration are done well and the use of only the black and white ink makes the book sync with the detective movies of the past.
Professional Review:
Gr. 4-6. Chet Gecko is one tough lizard, who says such things as "Surprise froze my tongue like a mayfly on a Popsicle" and "My stomach knotted and jerked, like a python swallowing a sofa." Gecko is the best lizard detective at Emerson Hicky Elementary School, a school presided over by fat cat Principal Zero, and attended by all manner of animals who act just like school kids. In this new adventure, Gecko has to determine why Principal Zero is suddenly acting strange--as in nice. Gecko feels Zero has either gone mad or been replaced by an imposter. With mockingbird sidekick Natalie Attired, Chet uses time-honored methods of detection--eavesdropping, sniffing out newcomers, and combing through garbage--to find out what's what. The swift plot, clever wisecracking, and hardboiled style make this chapter book a terrific read.
Fletcher, C. (2000, November 01). The mystery of mr. nice.Booklist, 97(5), 539. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/
Library Uses:
Invite students in the 4th through the 6th grade to come to the library for a mystery theater event where the librarian has gone missing, and the students must find and process the clues located within the library to determine where she is and what has happened to her. One of the other library employees with be assisting them with the search and they will be dressed in a trench coat and fedora to match the clothing worn by Chet Gecko.
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