Book Overview
Snappy, pulp-inspired noir set in the mean hallways of middle school, from an exciting debut author. The treacherous, hormone-soaked hallways of Franklin Middle School are the setting for this sharp, funny noir novel about tough guys and even tougher girls. "The Frank" is in the clutches of a crime syndicate run by seventh-grader Vinny "Mr. Biggs" Biggio, who deals in forged hall passes and black-market candy. Double-cross him and your number is punched by one of his deadly water-gun-toting assassins. One hit in the pants and you are in "the Outs" forever. Matt Stevens is a proud loner with his own code of justice. He''s avoided being pulled into Vinny''s organization until now: Mr. Biggs has offered him a job he can''t resist, one that leads to the surprising downfall of Vinny''s top assassin, the beautiful and deadly Nikki "Fingers" Finnegan, at the hands of an unknown assailant. Matt thinks he was used, and he becomes determined to find the trigger-guy or -girl, even if it means bringing down one of his oldest friends. New talent Jack D. Ferraiolo revitalizes the noir novel while delivering a terrific, addictive mystery that crackles with wit and excitement. "Jack Ferraiolo shines a light on middle school and reveals what we''ve always suspected: it''s a sinister place ruled by crime bosses and thugs. ''The Big Splash'' will make you laugh out loud."--Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID "Move over Bogart; now there''s hard-boiled private detective Matt Stevens on the job at Franklin Middle School ... You could call this genre kid noir."--Judy Freeman, on the "Sure Shot Books for Boys" list on readkiddoread.com "Entertaining and thrilling."-- The New York Times Sunday Book Review (full page review) "A first novel with an ingenious premise: junior high noir ... Twists and curve balls keep readers guessing; extended jokes will keep them laughing. With crisp prose and surprisingly poignant moments, Ferraiolo''s debut entertains on many levels." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review "Ferraiolo weaves a tale that is thought-provoking and rib-tickling all at the same time. Highly recommended."-- Library Media Connection starred review "Matt Stevens may turn out to be a bankable franchise: His first-person present-tense narration carries in it echoes of Marlowe, and the simple plot makes some crafty twists and turns as it goes along."-- Kirkus "Ferraiolo cleverly interweaves Mafia undertones with Middle School social dynamics in this comical yet page turning novel. Young adult mystery enthusiasts will love the unmasking of this new sleuth in literature."-- ALAN "Ferraiolo has taken us down, in a manner of speaking. Good fun, and the comic-book style cover will attract readers."-- KLIATT reviews "This fabulous mystery will have teens racing to get to the last page...A great whodunit mystery lovers are sure to consume."-- VOYA "This debut novel delivers plenty of laughs ... Fans of private-eye spoofs will enjoy this entertaining read."-- Booklist "Well paced, funny, and suspenseful, with some real commentary on bullying and mob mentality, this book will have fans eagerly awaiting the next installment in this faux noir detective series."-- School Library Journal " Ferraiolo shines in this debut novel, working the noir tropes for all they''re worth ... The mystery itself is cagily constructed to keep readers guessing pretty much til'' the last bell."-- Bulletin for the Center of Children''s Books "If middle school has an "underworld," this book is The Godfather and The Maltese Falcon all rolled into one. Better still, it''s funny, and not just a little."--Gordon Korman, author of SCHOOL OF ROCK F&P level: W
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0810970678
ISBN13:9780810970670
Release Date:September 2008
Publisher:Harry N. Abrams
Length:288 Pages
Weight:0.75 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 5.7" x 8.3"
Age Range:10 to 14 years
Grade Range:Grades 5 to 9
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
CLEVER FROM BEGINNING TO END
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I adore this book. Clever from beginning to end. First, the idea: a noir detective story, a la "The Big Sleep," set in middle school. And the world these characters inhabit is complete: the detective, the case to solve, the kingpin, his lackies, the swell girl--even the neighborhood "bar" where they can all hang out (I won't ruin what it actually is, because it's one of the many ingenious touches throughout this ingenious book). Not only is the story flat-out funny and yet also sweet when it comes to family and friend relationships, the writing itself is first rate. There were so many choice phrases I had to go back and reread, just to savor them. I finished this book a few days ago, and have already recommended it to at least ten people. Boys will love it, girls will love it, grown men and women will love it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
"The Frank" may seem like a typical middle school, but it's actually run by Vinny Biggs and his gang. Need a stolen exam? Or want a sugar high? You'll have to go through Vinny. Cross Vinny, and you'll be facing one of his "hired assassins." Vinny's "hired assassins" hold your social life fate in their hands. These assassins hide water guns, and with one quick shot you'll look like you peed your pants, face social humiliation, and immediately are put in "the outs." Nikki Fingers used to be the fastest and most feared shooter at "The Frank," but at the beginning of seventh grade decides for a fresh start. But when Nikki is taken out, seventh grade detective Matt Stevens is hired. Could it have been her former boss, Vinny? The boy who had a crush on her? Or one of the many students at "The Frank" with a reason to hate Nikki? Matt only has a week to find out or he might find himself in "the outs" as well. I can't say enough good things about this book! It's wonderfully written in a clever noir style that kept me laughing and guessing all night. It reads just like an old pulp detective novel and includes many of the characters you would expect to be there - the mob boss, the hired guns, the detective, the girl crush - only this time they're in sixth and seventh grade. At times it reminded me of one of my favorite old movies, Bugsy Malone, in which kids play the gangsters. There were so many things sprinkled in this story that made me smile. The kids who would do anything for a pixy stick rush, the frazzled newspaperman, and the kid-owned sandwich shop all added to the style, and I felt like I really was transported back into one of those old pulp detective novels. The mystery had plenty of twists and turns and kept me guessing and second-guessing who did Nikki in. The dialogue is witty and snappy and is full of humor. Although the setting is middle school, readers who have gotten through their middle school years are sure to enjoy THE BIG SPLASH, as well. Fans of great detective novels or gangster stories should add this one to their reading pile! I'm looking forward to reading more from Jack D. Ferraiolo - and hope that Matt Stevens is on another case soon! Reviewed by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
Imaginative and so much fun!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I read The Big Splash in one sitting. The style is gripping and fast paced and the story imaginative and very funny. It was easy to flashback to that time in your life when bullies ruled the school; however this unique story is far from typical. There is a bit of subtle mature subtext (think The Simpsons), so kids and adults will be sure to enjoy this story. Great work Jack Ferraiolo.
Big Splash
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
"The Big Splash" is a tough-talking book, in which all the characters are in middle school, including the character called upon to help solve the case. Sometimes the dialogue is glib, but for the most part it seems realistic, and certainly when the main character deals with the females in his life. A fun book, but somewhat complicated for younger readers.
Makes a Big Splash
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
Matt Stevens, Middle School Private Eye, is hired by Vinny Biggs, Franklin's Underworld Boss, for a seemingly simple job. But in a school where one well placed squirt gun shot can "kill" your reputation forever, Matt has only a few days solve a case with "more twists than a candy addict on a swivel chair." The Big Splash is a clever mafia/crime underworld spoof with a fast paced, twisty plot and a big heart. You have the boss and his goons who deal in forged hall passes and the like, his femme fatale squirt gun assassin Nikki Fingers (think a 12 year old Angelina Jolie), kids who dared to cross the boss and are now on the "outs" (social death), and even Pixy Stixers, kids who will do anything to get another (sugar) fix. I absolutely adored the writing, the humor, the characters and the realizations Matt came to during the case such as, "Waking up at 5:00 means you're industrious, an early riser; waking up at 4:45 means you have trouble sleeping." And "Once you're convicted by a jury of your peers, it's hard to get a new trial." And my favorite (because it is sooo true): "I had recently come to realize that it was extremely rare to find friendships in which doing nothing special was the most fun thing you could ever hope to do." Highly recommended to anyone who is in middle school or has lived through it.
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