Synopses & Reviews
Trouble is brewing in Hamlet, Vermont, when a new kid named Thud Tweed enrolls in Miss Earths class. Hes an oversize lug with a bad attitude that soon starts affecting his classmates especially after he tinkers with the outcome of the spring egg hunt and pits the rival Copycats and Tattletales against their own members.
When three genetically manipulated eggs appear on the scene and begin to hatch, the children begin spinning lies to keep them a secret. Soon they are caught in their own web, and they realize that they must all join together even Thud if they want to find a way to right their wrongs. With themes ranging from the ethics of gene splicing and nature-versus-nurture to bullying and parenting, this fifth installment of the Hamlet Chronicles explores dark territory. At the same time, it introduces outrageous new characters and sparkles with Gregory Maguires patented tongue-in-cheek humor and hilarious one-liners.
Review
The tone throughout is characteristically deadpan, the humor thoroughly sophisticated...maintains a quirky freshness that fans and new readers alike will welcome.
Review
Both newcomers to the series and long-time fans will enjoy this book and look forward to upcoming installments.
Review
There is nothing subtle here; silly puns and slapstick humor carry this broad farce. Maguire captures the social politics of middle schoolers, and conveys the message that cooperation rather than cliques, solves problems. School Library Journal
The tone throughout is characteristically deadpan, the humor thoroughly sophisticated...maintains a quirky freshness that fans and new readers alike will welcome.
Kirkus Reviews
Both newcomers to the series and long-time fans will enjoy this book and look forward to upcoming installments.
Booklist, ALA
With a digressive plot, ridiculous character names, cornball gags and insult-peppered dialogue, Three Rotten Eggs feels like the transcription of a week's worth of improvisational bedtime tales told by a slightly crazy uncle.
The New York Times Book Review
Review
Trouble is brewing in Hamlet, Vermont, when a new kid named Thud Tweed enrolls in Miss Earths class. Hes an oversize lug with a bad attitude that soon starts affecting his classmatesespecially after he tinkers with the outcome of the spring egg hunt and pits the rival Copycats and Tattletales against their own members. When three genetically manipulated eggs appear on the scene and begin to hatch, the children begin spinning lies to keep them a secret. Soon they are caught in their own web, and they realize that they must all join togethereven Thudif they want to find a way to right their wrongs.
With themes ranging from the ethics of gene splicing and nature-versus-nurture to bullying and parenting, this fifth installment of the Hamlet Chronicles explores dark territory. At the same time, it introduces outrageous new characters and sparkles with Gregory Maguires patented tongue-in-cheek humor and hilarious one-liners.There is nothing subtle here; silly puns and slapstick humor carry this broad farce. Maguire captures the social politics of middle schoolers, and conveys the message that cooperation rather than cliques, solves problems. School Library Journal
The tone throughout is characteristically deadpan, the humor thoroughly sophisticated...maintains a quirky freshness that fans and new readers alike will welcome.
Kirkus Reviews
Both newcomers to the series and long-time fans will enjoy this book and look forward to upcoming installments.
Booklist, ALA
With a digressive plot, ridiculous character names, cornball gags and insult-peppered dialogue, Three Rotten Eggs feels like the transcription of a week's worth of improvisational bedtime tales told by a slightly crazy uncle.
The New York Times Book Review
About the Author
Gregory Maguire is the popular author of many books for children, including the Hamlet Chronicles for Clarion, as well as several adult books, including WICKED (HarperCollins), upon which a Broadway musical was based, and its sequel, CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER (Regan Books). He lives in Concord, Massachusetts.