Monday, February 6, 2012

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***

12 comments:

  1. My son just checked out The Fourth Stall (part I) from the library on Saturday! And when he loves a book, he loves if it's a series too.

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  2. Aar. There's a part 2! I still have the first book on my want list.

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  3. I can't wait to read the sequel!!! Thanks again :)

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  4. You lucky duck! I loved the first and sounds like I will love the second too. Thanks for the chance to win the ARC! You ROCK and I shall tweet for brownie points, lol.

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  5. I loved The Fourth Stall!! Such a great buddy book with plenty of action and suspense! Looking forward to this one! I'll throw my hat into the ring!

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  6. Egad! I haven't read the first book yet (I've been meaning to ever since you recommended it a year ago) and now there's a second!

    Oops. Tell the Don I'll get right on that. I don't want any horsehead surprises either. Great review, Michael.

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  7. I'm a follower! :-) But I fired my Twitter account.

    I haven't read the first one, but like the godfather feel to it. nice. At first I was thinking "noir" with that cover - which would ALSO be cool. Has anyone written a noir MG novel?

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  8. I didn't know there was a sequel for this. I really should read the first one! Thanks for the review.

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  9. He he he. Forgive me, but this one seems like such a you book. I'm not surprised you like them. :-)

    I still need to read this one.

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  10. woot, sounds like a great read. I must check the firs one out, then!
    Thanks for the chance to win :

    GFC reading mind

    aliasgirl at libero dot it

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  11. Aw...
    Now I really have to get part one because part two is coming out so soon.

    ank272 at live dot com

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