Mystery in Mt. Mole

Mystery in Mt Mole by Richard W. Jennings Houghton Mifflin, 2003. $15.00 Mystery/Humor ISBN: 0618284788

Thirteen-year-old Andy Forrest sets out to solve the mystery of missing middle school assistant principal Jacob Parley, who turns out to be the missing person that nobody misses at all. Andy's list of suspects almost immediately grows to include nearly everyone he interviews. The story takes place in the unremarkable small town of Mt. Mole, whose sole interesting feature is the geographical oddity that gave the town its name. Mt. Mole is populated by a variety of eccentric characters, including police Chief Eagle Talon (who isn't a policeman at all, but everyone was already used to calling him Chief). While Mt. Mole seems relentlessly ordinary, the affable Andy loves it and appreciates the charm of its odd inhabitants. Soon Andy is joined by his romantic interest, blond cheerleader Georgia Wayne; and yet another mystery crops up: What are the strange rumbling noises coming from Mt. Mole? There are numerous plays on words, and some of them are real groaners, but that just adds to the fun. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, this is a thoroughly enjoyable book because it doesn't take itself too seriously- just like its offbeat protagonist.

Wendy Street

PeIIa, IA

Copyright Assembly on Literature for Adolescents -- National Council of Teachers of English Winter 2004
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