Harry Newberry and the Raiders of the Red Drink

I read this book with my son, after we'd read all of Gilden's 5th Grade Monster series. We both enjoyed the quirky touches, like the delivery of day-old pizza (because it's better the next day) and the dreaded 'cheese blight' gun. The story works like one of the old Loony Tunes or Merry Melodies cartoons, with fast-paced wacky action in the foreground, and more subtle jokes in the background for the older or more thoughtful reader. Gilden deserves credit, too, for this early exploration of the angsty-superhero theme and the comic difficulties of saving the world while getting along with your family. Not for everyone, but one of the rare fast-paced comic stories that repays a second reading.

This book was so funny. Here's a book that a parent can enjoy "reading to" while your child enjoys "listening to." Just wait til you see how much your child remembers as this book moves along. The blend of humor in this book (e.g. "Pete Zamansky, he maneuvers," runs a pizza in the form of maps store selling very useful day old pizza.) with a good working knowledge of the way mothers and sons relate, mixed with a superhero genre,is really rather unique. Picture Ray Bradbury meets Roald Dahl meets Superwoman. Please put this book back in print.