  | Carnival catastrophe (Problim children) Author: Lloyd, Natalie | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
Mona Problim plots to win the town's trust, and maybe a trophy, by entering the Corn Dog Princess pageant at the carnival while she does some snooping in hopes of helping to find their missing mom. But from catapulting cattle to runaway corndogs to spiders on the pageant stage, the Problim brothers and sisters are blamed for every catastrophe at this year's carnival. Can the seven siblings come together in time to save the carnival and rescue their mom from a villain?
| Illustrator: | Sarda, Julia |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.50 Points: 7.0 Quiz: 505740 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (04/15/19)
School Library Journal (06/01/19)
Booklist (05/01/19)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 05/01/2019 Lloyd’s quirky gang of seven siblings returns in a new mystery soaked in doughnut frosting, an old family feud, pageantry, noxious toots, and hidden treasure. The Problim children are diligently following clues their grandfather left hidden with segments of a “water witcher” that, once assembled, will lead them to a fountain of youth, which, consequently, is also the fount of eternal loathing between the Problims and their neighbors, the O’Pinions. On top of this cryptic treasure hunt, Mama Problim has disappeared while adventuring, and her cadre of kids is determined to bring her home. Mona is the Wednesday Addams of the Problim children, and the narrative unfolds from her amusingly dark perspective. Lloyd revels in the story’s zaniness, bolstering it with heart and enough complexity to ensure readers are invested. Amid the annual Corn Dog Carnival, Mona and her siblings scheme to locate their mother and uncover family secrets in the process. The appearance of a new villain, Cheese Breath, and cliff-hanger ending signal more shenanigans to come—and readers will have no problem with that. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 06/01/2019 Gr 3–6—The Problims are back! In this installment, the perfect seven pick up right where they left off: searching for the pieces of a fabled water witch hidden by their grandfather, which are supposedly the key to something amazing. Mona Problim leads the pack as she and her family try to win an array of contests in the town's Corndog Carnival in order to gain entry to the Pirate Caves, where they suspect their missing mother may be stranded. Mona shines as she figures out (not always gracefully) that everyone has unique value—even her worst enemies. Though new readers may be won over, fans of the first book will most appreciate the backstory revealed in this second volume as they learn of hidden treasure, family feuds, and lost loves. The cast doesn't differ much from in the first installment; the Problims are white, their friend Violet is allergic to air and has severe restrictions on her activities, and most ancillary characters are only briefly described. VERDICT A charming sequel; purchase where the first is popular and where readers enjoy familial magic.—Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
