  | Sheep, the rooster, and the duck Author: Phelan, Matt | |
| Price: $22.38 | ||
Summary:
In 1783 France, ten-year-old Emilie works as Benjamin Franklin's caretaker, but after he finds himself in the middle of a sinister plot, he helps France's undercover guardians, a sheep, a rooster and a duck save the world.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.30 Points: 2.0 Quiz: 514149 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (01/01/22)
School Library Journal (04/01/22)
Booklist (+) (03/01/22)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (A) (00/03/22)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 04/01/2022 Gr 3–7—This fun piece of historical fiction from acclaimed author and artist Phelan follows the story of hardworking Emile, caretaker of ambassador Benjamin Franklin's château in Paris, as he joins forces with the truly legendary sheep, rooster, and duck known for their involvement in the first hot air balloon flight of 1783, pioneered by the infamous Montgolfier brothers in Versailles. Readers will adventure with the characters through sinister plots and awkward and humorous situations as they work to outsmart the villains trying to steal Benjamin Franklin's drawings and inventions. Together, they devise a plan to thwart the enemies and save the world by keeping Franklin's precious inventions from landing in the wrong hands. The adventure is filled with the fun and whimsy of covert operations, secret societies, a secret spy headquarters on Marie Antoinette's playground, and secret night gliders (bat-like flying robots). This extraordinary group of animal spies is brought to life through witty dialogue, and the graphic novel–type illustrations are a huge part of the storytelling. Emile emerges as a brave character and steps far outside of his comfort zone when working with the animals. It is a story of friendship and bravery, and a celebration of history. VERDICT A fun, fast-paced adventure with tons of historical references and witty humor. Great for all readers and as a classroom read-aloud.—Christina Pesiri - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 03/01/2022 *Starred Review* Ten-year-old Emile lives a staid but satisfying life as a house servant in eighteenth-century France, looking after a visiting Benjamin Franklin. Franklin keeps a treasured notebook in his study of in-progress inventions, and when Emile catches a mouse seemingly spying on his employer (clutching a tiny notebook and pencil in his paws), the boy follows the rodent to the secret lair of France’s most revered undercover guardians. To his astonishment, the accomplished secret agents are Jean-Luc, a duck of tactical genius; Bernadette, an exceptionally inventive sheep; and Pierre, a swashbuckling masked rooster. A gallant (human) aeronaut, Sophie, rounds out the remarkable team, and Emile is filled in on a nefarious scheme to swipe Franklin’s ideas and transform them into weapons. It’s up to the avant-garde assembly to foil the plot and save the world! The whole enterprise is incredibly creative and equally silly, mixing historical figures and locations with offbeat humor and adventure. There are outrageous inventions, whimsical secret societies, and dastardly villains, along with miniature swords for masked roosters and cheese-shaped hot-air balloons for mice on the run. The cheery, chatty text is accessible and mixes in illustrated action sequences to keep any reader absorbed (final art not seen). A little bit of history, a touch of mystery, and heaps of fun. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
