Escape of the Mini-Mummy

by Lin Oliver

Book Overview

Daniel Funk always wanted a brother, but he's got three sisters instead. Until he shrinks to the size of a toe--and discovers Pablo, his twin brother who's always that small Together, they have... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416909591
• ISBN13: 9781416909590
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 9 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 6

Customer Reviews

A fun, engaging read for kids

I read this book to my son (who's 7) and his friend (she is also 7), as a test audience for the book. In this day and age, it is tough for books to compete with video games and on-demand television, especially when kids (even...or perhaps especially...teenagers) have such short attention spans. Creating something that is engaging, fun and hopefully unique is a must, then. Held against that standard, this book passed with flying colors. Heck, even the prologue had the two of them giggling away (it's a fun aside on the difference between a diorama and diarrhea). The style is very easy, making it a natural read to kids - it is almost conversational in style. Further, there are simple, yet amusing, illustrations on every other page - something the kids were looking for from page one. Plot-wise, the story involves a boy named Daniel Funk, who has the incredible ability to shrink to the size of one of your toes. Further, he has a twin brother, Pablo, who has always been in that shrunken state (although Daniel only just met him when he shrunk for the first time). In this tale, Daniel is giving a presentation at school involving a diorama of King Tut's tomb, and Pablo makes an appearance as a mini-mummy. Logically, it doesn't make much sense, having a tiny brother that no one except Daniel and his great-grandmother know about, or that nobody misses Pablo. Honestly, though, with kids, it doesn't really have to make sense...perhaps it adds to the mystery and allows them to use their imagination. My only qualm about this excellent book is the slightly over-used phrase "If you ask me, and I know you didn't..." The kids didn't notice it, but I found it a little irritating. Other than that, I highly recommend this fun kids tale. Oh, and the kids gave it their seal of approval too!

Very cute story

Escape of the Mini-Mummy by Lin Oliver is a wonderfully funny story about an only boy in a family of girls, well not quite. He does have a twin brother that is the size of his forth toe on his left foot. Daniel also has the ability to shrink, but hasnt quite figured out how to do it on command. It just sort of happens. This is the 2nd book in the "Who Shrunk Daniel Funk" series. In the story Daniel and his friend Vu have to make a diorama for their history class diorama competition. The story had my 8-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter cracking up. The author did a wonderful job writing a story that is very entertaining for this age group. I am always on the look-out for books that make my kids want to read. This one definately fits the bill.

Clever and fun!

From start to finish this book is sure to please children. From young readers to teen readers, they'll all crack up at the jokes posed throughout. It's great for reluctant readers who need a book to really pull them in, and not too long to tire them out. On a level a step or two above Magic Treehouse--more like Beverly Cleary's books or Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing. Even as a mother of 4, I read this book myself and giggled through the whole thing. The worse swear word is "Holy Macaroni" and there isn't any offensive content, except possibly a little too much harshness towards his sisters. And even that, is written in a way that should not be offensive to girls, since the main character himself is so clearly flawed. The author really captured the tween/teen boy's attitude. The plot isn't anything grand, but I gave the book 5 stars for how clever it was, written completely 'in character', how appealing to the age group, and even sprinkling some interesting historical and other silly facts within. Kids might actually learn something. My tween girl and teen boys will all love it.

Fun! Fun! Fun1

In this tale we meet, Daniel Funk, who can shrink to the size of the fourth toe on his left foot. He also has a brother, Pablo, who was born in his ear, and is the size of the fourth toe. Quite a couple of characters right from the start, and the family of Daniel Funk is definitely interesting as well. However, Daniel and Pablo are our main players in this read. What a pair...what a story filled with imagination. In this tale no one knows Daniel shrinks, nor do they know about his brother, except their grandma. Daniel is doing a diorama of King Tut's tomb for school, and Pablo decides to disguise himself as the mummy. Daniel is hoping the win, but he has some heavy competition to beat. Unfortunately things get heated up when Daniel shrinks at the worst time, but Pablo helps to save the day. This is a very cute book that will stimulate the imagination of your child. It has loyalty, friendship, family, the solving of problems, and definitely adventure. It is an easy enjoyable read, one that is sure to bring out a smile, and entertain children (an adults). Very nice book.

Perfect for Its Target Audience

Now, I'm giving this book 5 stars -- even though I would never read it aloud to my class or use it for literature discussion -- because it is perfect for that certain kind of reader teachers and parents know well: the reluctant, intermediate-level, boy reader. This is a particularly difficult reader to please. Books have to be a) thin b) humorous and c) illustrated to appeal to this kind of reader. There's no shortage of that type of book, but the challenge for adults is to find some that are also well-written. Escape of the Mini-Mummy by Lin Oliver is a slim volume with plenty of cute illustrations interspersed throughout the text -- so it's got those requirements covered. The prologue begins with a clarification of the important distinctions between a diorama and diarrhea -- thus proving it meets the fifth grade boy humor needs as well. But it also has an engaging and energetic narrative full of clever word-play and just the right amount of vocabulary development. The plot is a bit silly -- but, again, that's perfect for the target audience. What boy doesn't like to complain about his sisters? And wouldn't it be neat to have a secret, miniature, twin brother who was ultra-cool and constantly involved in daring adventures? Don't expect great literature or deep themes here. But if you know a reader like the type I have described (and I'm thinking of a few, myself), you could do worse than this cute little novel. See also the first book in this series: Attack of the Growling Eyeballs (Who Shrunk Daniel Funk?)