Keep your eye on this one, Nickelodeon! Kathy Tapp's new chapter book, Deadbolts and Dinkles, would make a perfect After School Special. It's one night in the life of Zach who gets stranded at Grandpa's apartment while he misses out on the biggest sleepover of the summer. The book has drama, humor and a healthy dose of warm heartedness. It's wonderful how Tapp manages to paint full-fledged pictures of a boy, his baby bro. and their ailing but likeable grandfather using a simple vocabulary, and keeping the story entertaining enough for young readers as well as their families and teachers. Yes, I recommend this book for school libraries too. It's a real page-turner. Woven through the captivating storyline are important lessons on family relationships and coping with problems. Tapp's book is like the yummiest, healthiest hiking gorp ever! It's nutritious and delicious - full of affection, suspense, disappointments, humor, and surprise. A taste of real life. You don't have to tell your kids, but Tapp has managed a camouflaged lesson in literature here too. Deadbolts and Dinkles follows Aristotle's 3-act structure! It is perfect for a small film. (The likeable illustrations by Carol Newsom can even suggest actors for the roles.) It'll make marvelous summer reading. And when school's back in session, it'll take all of us readers back to one summer's night of disappointment and how it turned into a profound, magical memory.
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