Review: Frankie DuPont and the Science Fair Sabotoge by Julie Grasso

FRANKIE DUPONT 

AND THE SCIENCE

FAIR SABOTAGE

Frankie DuPont Mysteries Book 3

by Julie Grasso

Middle Grade Mystery

134 pages 

ages 8+

Frankie Dupont is less than impressed when he has to attend the Sustainable Science Fair with Kat and Amy. Upon his arrival, he learns that Amy's brothers have had their robotics chip stolen. 

Keen to recover the chip, Frankie questions the kids in the competition, but everyone seems to have a motive. 

When baffling clues start rolling in via “Snap-Goss” instant messages, Frankie realises it will take all of his detective muscles to solve this case. 

MY TIDBITS

This is the 3rd book in Frankie's series and so far, my favorite. The author does a great job taking a mystery and mixing it with the most delicious fantastical ideas, making it a perfect journey for kids. We start out with Frankie, a young detective, who isn't totally excited to go with his friends to the science fair.

The fair itself is amazing. The most ingenious ideas come to life, and this is where kids will dive in and let their own fantasies soar. Let's just say that inventions no know limits.

Obviously, there's a mystery involved, and this time, it's a hard one. Unlike the other books, Frankie finds himself surrounded by suspects, all of which could possible have a motive. This wasn't an easy mystery to figure out and kids will love trying to follow the clues. Not only that, but there are several messages hidden in the pages. Friendship, acceptance, and dealing with competition. But these are well woven into the story, and not slapped in the reader's face. . .something I appreciate.

Like the other books in this series, this is a story written and aimed at kids. The fantasy, thoughts and plot are laid out with lots of love just for this age group, and I think kids will enjoy this completely.

Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco by Julie Grasso

 

 Frankie Dupont and The Lemon Festival Fiasco

by Julie Anne Grasso

Illustrated by Alexander 

Avellino Publisher

100 Pages

For ages 8 to 12

Hot off cracking his first official case, Frankie Dupont is on the scene when his new teacher takes ill. The pint-sized detective suspects a classic case of sour grapes, but the evidence leads him to the one place he wouldn’t mind avoiding for the rest of his natural life. Enderby Manor has a few more secrets up her sleeve, and as Frankie begins to unravel them, he uncovers a plot stinkier than a sardine sandwich. In Book 2 of the Frankie Dupont Mysteries, Frankie will make some new friends, upset some old ones, and of course, there will be lemon meringue pie.

Amazon * Goodreads

MY TIDBITS

After reading the first book in the series, I was excited to see which mystery would snap up Frankie next. And I actually found this book even better than the first.

Frankie's case starts with a lemon pie, and telling by his teacher's sudden sickness after eating it as well as his cute dog companion's refusal to eat it, must be poisoned! Clues pop up in the most unexpected places, and I love how Frankie isn't always sure exactly what's going on.

This is a mystery packed with fun and tons of imagination - fantasy has free rule in Frankie's world, which will make middle grade readers love the stories even more. The writing is perfect for the age group, and the plot keeps a quick pace, making it impossible not to want to see what happens on the next page. The mysteries take unexpected twists and turns, and not every clue leads where one might think.

I especially love the sense of friendship in these stories as well as the love Frankie shows for his grandfather. It's things like this which make it easy for kids to sympathize with Frankie.

In short, this is another fun, easy to read tale which kids ages 8+ are sure to love.

Haven't read Book 1 yet? Click on the cover below to grab a copy of "Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor".

 

BOOK TRAILER!!!

 

Early Buzz About the Book

"This is a wonderful book 2 in the Frankie Dupont series. Just be forewarned that you will want lemon pie and lemonade after reading! The Lemon Festival Fiasco has multiple suspects and red herring clues to follow and solve while reading. Twists and turns will keep young readers engaged and thinking. This would be a perfect read for gifted education classes. Characters to love, and plenty of action! " ~ 5 Star, Carolyn W., Amazon

 

* FREE * Printable by Wise Owl Factory

We are pleased to share with you a FREE Educational Supplement for Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco created by Carolyn Wilhelm from the Wise Owl Factory. These supplements are appropriate for grades 3 and higher and are recommended for a mystery unit and/or gifted education classes to help children develop higher level thinking skills. Please visit the Wise Owl Factory where you can download the FREE Educational Supplement for Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco as well as for Julie Grasso’s other books (or click on the image below to take you there).  

And here she is. . .

JULIE ANNE GRASSO!!!

With a background in paediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to entertain them. A science fiction nerd (she even owns a TARDIS), cupcake enthusiast and lover of all things mystery, she lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little girl Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai tea and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.

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