The Prize Winners of Piedmont Place

Reviewed by: Phyllis Fuchs - Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 8, 2016

Review

Here is book one of an apparent new series about a family who enter and win contests by an author who is known for writing action-packed books. This is certainly one of them and a humorous story as well. There is a great deal of fast paced plot in its just under two hundred pages that is made livelier by black and white cartoon like drawings that offer both details and comedy. Cal is the eleven year old who is determined to get his family of five plus a dog to join a contest that he is certain his family can win. He is extremely proud of each member of what he believes to be his unusually talented family. While character development does not grow like the lively plot, a theme does emerge. Each family member demonstrates that caring for one another is far more important than coming in first in a contest. Girls and boys of about eight to twelve years old who like to laugh while reading pages that fly by quickly may very well enjoy this cheerful story that does also portray some really poor losers as well as the likable prize winners.

Overall Book Score: good