Horton Halfpott Or The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of MLady Luggertucks Corset

Tom Angleberger's latest, loopiest middle-grade novel begins when M'Lady Luggertuck loosens her corset (it's never been loosened before ), thereby setting off a chain of events in which all the strict rules of Smugwick Manor are abandoned. When, as a result of the Loosening, the precious family heirloom, the Luggertuck Lump (quite literally a lump), goes missing, the Luggertucks look for someone to blame. Is it Horton Halfpott, the good-natured but lowly kitchen boy who can't tell a lie? Or one of the many colorful cast members in this silly romp of a mystery.

Praise for Horton Halfpott

A positively gleeful historical mystery farce. Short chapters, a fast pace and plenty of linguistic and slapstistic humor will have young readers hoping that a sequel is planned. The scribbly pen-and-ink chapter-heading cartoon illustrations are just icing on the cake--or pickle eclair. A romp from start to finish. -Kirkus Reviews

Exaggerated black-and-white drawings emphasize the often wacky humor in this goofy faux-British mystery. Sprawling, outlandish tale. -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Readers will enjoy Angleberger's penchant for the absurd as well as his many droll asides. With Angleberger's many eclectic characters, his wild-and-witty storytelling, and a lighthearted but perplexing mystery--involving a lump of diamonds, a couple of wigs, and a bust of Napoleon--readers are in for a treat. -Publishers Weekly

From the author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, here's an amusing romp of a mystery that balances skulduggery with just rewards. -Booklist Much like Dickens or Dahl, an opinionated narrator with a strong sense of the ridiculous directs this story. -School Library Journal

Tom Anglebergers farcical middle-grade mystery begins when MLady Luggertuck loosens her corset (it has never been loosened before!), thereby setting off a chain of events in which all the strict rules of Smugwick Manor are abandoned. When, as a result of “the Loosening,” the precious family heirloom, the Luggertuck Lump (quite literally a lump), goes missing, the Luggertucks look for someone to blame. Is it Horton Halfpott, the good-natured but lowly kitchen boy who cant tell a lie? Or one of the many colorful cast members in this romp of a mystery that combines supreme silliness with a tale of a young hero with heart.

TELL THE TRUTH:and#160; and#160; Have you ever picked your nose? Have you ever picked your nose and eaten it? Have you ever picked your nose, eaten it, and, doing so, opened a portal to a world run by pirates? and#160; Mabel Jones has. and#160; Mabel is kidnapped and forced to serve aboard The Feroshus Maggot with the strangest crew youand#8217;ll ever meet. And the captainand#151;an odious wolf named Idryss Ebenezer Splitand#151;wonand#8217;t let her go until she helps the pirates unlock the treasure they seek.and#160; and#160; Mabeland#8217;s voyage takes her across The Greasy Pole of Certain Death, into the belly of a whale, and underground to a decrepit crypt. And she does it alland#133;in pajamas! and#160; Read on if you dare. You are promised a most unlikely adventure.

This hilarious, highly original series, which so astutely captures the odd preoccupations of middle schoolers, will appeal to the many fans of the Origami Yoda series and such gross-out classics as How to Eat Fried Worms and Freckle Juice.

Lyle Hertzog and his friends Marilla and Dave expect to spend another dull holiday passing time at the local Qwikpick convenience store. Then an article in their hometown paper catches their eyeandmdash;the sludge fountain at the nearby sewage plant is being retired. With this news, the three friends decide theyandrsquo;re not just normal kids who donandrsquo;t have Christmas plans: theyandrsquo;re the Qwikpick Adventure Society. Their first mission: to see the andldquo;poop fountainandrdquo; before it fades from glory.

Told with the mix of journal entries, doodles, and handwritten notes that has made the Origami Yoda books so appealing, this is another great series from a master chronicler of middle school.

Praise for The Qwikpick Papers

andquot;Laugh-out-loud high jinks tailormade for reluctant readers. A hilarious and well- designed update.andquot;

--School Library Journal

Summer 2014 Kidsand#39; Indie Next List

Will Mabbitt likes to write. He writes on the train, in the corner of cafes, and sometimes in his head when his laptop runs out of power. Will has a background in children's media, producing digital content for Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. He lives with his family, cats, and a woodlouse infestation in Lewes on the south coast of England. The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones: The Voyage of the Feroshus Maggot is his first novel. and#160; Please visit Will at http://www.mabbitt.co.uk/.