Trouble at Timpetill

Why should you never tie an alarm clock to a cat's tail? Because it might lead you on the wildest and scariest adventure of your life! In the little town of Timpetill, the kids are so spoiled and rotten and horrid that finally the parents, nearly exploding with exasperation, simply leave the town. When the kids wake up the next morning, they find their moms and dads missing, and the electricity and the water turned off. But to the Pirates - the gang of the very worst kids in Timpetill - that's just fine. They immediately raid the town, plundering the shops. They stuff their faces full of chocolate from the candy store and try on all the dresses in the dress shop. The town is a mess - stuff is scattered everywhere. It's up to Michael, also known as "Professor," along with is cousin Marianne and best friend Thomas, to take control of the town. Gradually, they maintain order, and more and more of the Pirates drift over onto their side. They assign jobs to each person and use only as much food as they need. But can they defeat the remaining Pirates? Will they ever take control of Oscar, the gang's leader? And will their parents EVER come back? Find out in this witty, engrossing tale from Henry Winterfeld.

A classic adventure story, complete with practical jokes, witty dialogue, heroes, and villains.

Growing up on the coast of Maine, I had the opportunity to meet and know Mr. Winterfeld. My first exposure to him was when he came to my fourth grade class to read "Stargirl" to us. I didn't know how lucky I was at the time, but as I matured and spoke with Mr. Winterfeld more often, I realized just how special this man was. I remember being saddened when he passed away, and when I began purchasing his books for the little people in my life, I remember that he passed away owing me a chess game. "Timpetill" held quite a fantasy for me - an entire population of town's children, left by frustrated parents, to deal with their problems and behaviors by themselves. The town's children dividing into two factions, and how and when the parents decide to return. I had often though as a child what that might have been like, small town Maine and no parents to govern us. I highly recommend this book for the younger person in your life.