The Fourth Stall, Part II

The Fourth Stall, part II by Chris Rylander (Walden Pond Press, release date February 7, 2012)  Wowzers, Yowzers, rottweilers, and schnauzers: we're a mere day away from the release date of Chris Rylander's sequel to The Fourth Stall, the book that started it all off here at Middle Grade Mafioso. The Don has even constructed me my own fourth stall, so I can type away in peace, and without the dastardly Luca Brasi, Jr. trying to undermine my efforts. (For more of the history between Luca and yours truly, look HERE.) The clacking of my typewriter keys is, needless to say, very peaceful--and I can totally empathize with Mac, the hero of the Fourth Stall. This is prime real estate.

The Fourth Stall part II carries on where #1 left off. Having one-upped Staples, Mac and his cohorts are back doing business. But strange things are happening at the school. An attractive, but slightly dangerous-seeming 8th-grade girl, going by the name of Trixie Von Parkway, wants Mac to get the new science teacher, Mr. Kjelson, off her back. In fact, ever since Mr. Kjelson arrived, things have been going downhill at the school. The new cafeteria menu seems designed to give coronaries, rodent poop has been found in the lockers, the staff are desperately trying to get the students to pass the new SMARTS test, and the new vice principal seems hell-bent on putting Mac out of business.

Whew! As you can see this is quite a page-turner. Chris Rylander writes funny, the characters are endearing, and a lot of barbs are tossed the way of the Chicago Cubs, the team that Mac and his right hand man, Vince, love and adore. Vince continues sharing his grandmother's aphorisms, and even my favorite bullies--Kitten and Great White--put in an appearance. (My only request for book 3 is to have more of the bullies--and I'm still angling to play British ex-pat Great White in the movie. Hollywood producers reading this: please option a screenplay and keep me in mind. You don't want to get one of the Don's equestrian surprises, do you?)

And yes, I sort of let the schnauzer out of the bag: the way this book ends has Part Three written all over it, with the surprise appearance of a character asking Mac for help. So stay tuned!!

All in all, fans of The Fourth Stall will be in for a treat with The Fourth Stall, part II.

Hey: I've got even more good news. I have an ARC of The Fourth Stall, part II, which was generously given me by the publisher, to give away to one lucky commenter. All I ask is that you follow the blog. Any mentions on Twitter will also earn you some Brownie points.

Now, go and read all the other amazing Marvelous Middle Grade Monday folks over on my blog sidebar. HAPPY READING!!

***THIS JUST IN--BOOK TRAILER. THE DON LOVES THE ACCORDIONS***