Thumb and the Bad Guys

October 1, 2009
Gr 3-5-Thumb and Susan are back in another tale set in British Columbia. Their remote fishing village has no roads, and the weekly supply plane brings them their only form of entertainment: three movies, ice cream, and popcorn. The latest movie stimulates Thumb's overactive imagination comes up with the notion that even small towns can have "bad guys," and the two friends set out to spy on their neighbors. To their surprise, they unearth secrets and mysterious people. A new teacher, Ms. Weatherly, who wears a wig and tons of makeup, becomes an instant suspect in the puzzling events of the village. Fisherman Kirk McKenna arouses suspicion when he is seen sneaking around at night behind a waterfall where a hidden shed is found. When Ms. Weatherly helps the students solve the mystery of an 18th-century cannonball found on the beach, her students learn the real reasons behind her peculiar appearance. Thumb and Susan get the tables turned on them when the townspeople realize that they are the ones sneaking around and plan a surprise ambush. Franson's black-and-white graphic-style illustrations enhance the suspense. With its blend of creepiness, mystery, and humor, this story will be eagerly welcomed by fans of Thumb and Susan, but it stands alone."Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2010
Thumb and his friend Susan try sleuthing in their isolated Canadian village. Old Kirk McKenna is acting fishy, and a new teacher arrives wearing thick makeup and an obvious wig. As we know from Thumb's previous books (The Thumb in the Box, Thumb on a Diamond), he and author Roberts alike are adept at creating adventure from the slimmest of means.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 1, 2009
Fed on a diet of bad detective movies, Thumb and his friend Susan decide to try some sleuthing of their own. If you think there are meager possibilities for such in an isolated Canadian coastal village (pop. 143), think again: not only is old Kirk McKenna acting fishy (and easy to track via his copious spitting), but a new teacher has come to town, wearing thick makeup and an obvious wig. As we know from Thumb's two previous books (The Thumb in the Box, rev. 9/01; Thumb on a Diamond, rev. 5/06), he and author Roberts alike are adept at creating adventure from the slimmest of means. Characterization is again piquant, as when Thumb asks Susan how she spotted the killer in the (hilariously B-) movie they've just seen: "Susan shrugged. 'I am a woman,' she replied softly. 'Women can always tell when another woman is evil.'"

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)