by Eric Wight
ages: 8-10
First sentence: “Presenting… the Prince of Peril… the Sultan of Suspense… the Duke of Danger… the Amazing Piccolini!”
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Review copy sent to me by the author.

Frankie and his super-cool imagination are back at it again. This time, however, his challenge is leveling up in Possum Scouts. He can’t seem to keep up with the badges and won’t get to level up with the rest of his troop. Unless… he can win the annual Pine Run 300.

He knows he can do it, and runs to the hobby store (which includes a hilarious diversion with a lawn gnome) to pick up supplies. He sequesters himself in his room — brushing off his dad’s offer of help — and creates… well… a creation. It’s not quite a car, and in a test run, it completely bombs. Only after his first attempt fails does he turn to his father for help. And in doing so, he discovers that not only is the impossible possible, it’s also kind of cool to do things with your dad.

Told with the same humor and creativity as the first Frankie Pickle, it’s sure to tickle the funny bone of any eight-year-old.