Synopses & Reviews
Snappy, pulp-inspired noir set in the mean hallways of middle school, from an exciting debut author.
The treacherous, hormone-soaked hallways of Franklin Middle School are the setting for this sharp, funny noir novel about tough guys and even tougher girls. “The Frank” is in the clutches of a crime syndicate run by seventh-grader Vinny “Mr. Biggs” Biggio, who deals in forged hall passes and black-market candy. Double-cross him and your number is punched by one of his deadly water-gun-toting assassins. One hit in the pants and you are in “the Outs” forever. Matt Stevens is a proud loner with his own code of justice. Hes avoided being pulled into Vinnys organization until now: Mr. Biggs has offered him a job he cant resist, one that leads to the surprising downfall of Vinnys top assassin, the beautiful and deadly Nikki “Fingers” Finnegan, at the hands of an unknown assailant. Matt thinks he was used, and he becomes determined to find the trigger-guy or -girl, even if it means bringing down one of his oldest friends.
New talent Jack D. Ferraiolo revitalizes the noir novel while delivering a terrific, addictive mystery that crackles with wit and excitement. “Jack Ferraiolo shines a light on middle school and reveals what weve always suspected: its a sinister place ruled by crime bosses and thugs. ‘The Big Splash will make you laugh out loud.”—Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
“Move over Bogart; now there's hard-boiled private detective Matt Stevens on the job at Franklin Middle School ... You could call this genre kid noir.”—Judy Freeman, on the "Sure Shot Books for Boys" list on readkiddoread.com
“Entertaining and thrilling.”--The New York Times Sunday Book Review (full page review)
“A first novel with an ingenious premise: junior high noir … Twists and curve balls keep readers guessing; extended jokes will keep them laughing. With crisp prose and surprisingly poignant moments, Ferraiolos debut entertains on many levels.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Ferraiolo weaves a tale that is thought-provoking and rib-tickling all at the same time. Highly recommended.”--Library Media Connection starred review
“Matt Stevens may turn out to be a bankable franchise: His first-person present-tense narration carries in it echoes of Marlowe, and the simple plot makes some crafty twists and turns as it goes along.”--Kirkus
“Ferraiolo cleverly interweaves Mafia undertones with Middle School social dynamics in this comical yet page turning novel. Young adult mystery enthusiasts will love the unmasking of this new sleuth in literature.”--ALAN
“Ferraiolo has taken us down, in a manner of speaking. Good fun, and the comic-book style cover will attract readers.”—KLIATT reviews
“This fabulous mystery will have teens racing to get to the last page…A great whodunit mystery lovers are sure to consume.”—VOYA
“This debut novel delivers plenty of laughs … Fans of private-eye spoofs will enjoy this entertaining read.”—Booklist
“Well paced, funny, and suspenseful, with some real commentary on bullying and mob mentality, this book will have fans eagerly awaiting the next installment in this faux noir detective series.”—School Library Journal
“Ferraiolo shines in this debut novel, working the noir tropes for all theyre worth … The mystery itself is cagily constructed to keep readers guessing pretty much til the last bell.”—Bulletin for the Center of Childrens Books
“If middle school has an “underworld,” this book is The Godfather and The Maltese Falcon all rolled into one. Better still, its funny, and not just a little.”—Gordon Korman, author of SCHOOL OF ROCK
F&P level: W
Synopsis
In this much-anticipated sequel to
The Big Splash, junior high detective Matt Stevens is back on the case, bringing us another hilarious middle school noir.
When the star of the basketball team is blackmailed, its up to Matt, the lone voice for justice in a morass of middle school corruption, to figure out whos behind the scheme. Is it eighth-grade crime lord Vinny Mr. Biggs” Biggio, who has made his name peddling forged hall passes and leading a crew of social assassins who send enemies to the Outs with a humiliating squirt-gun blast below the belt? Or is it his lieutenant and Matts former best friend, Kevin? Or a pair of scheming twins who sell Pixy Stix to sugar-addicted classmates? One things for sure: There wont be a quick fix for the trouble at this middle school.
Praise for The Quick Fix
"The quick-moving plot and interesting characters give this detective story plenty of reluctant-reader appeal."
School Library Journal
Award
Winner - Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Fiction
About the Author
Jack D. Ferraiolo grew up in southern Connecticut and still considers middle school to be the toughest time of his life. He currently lives in northern Massachusetts with his wife, Teryse, and daughter, Emily. He has been writing and editing for television animation for close to ten years. He recently developed, and currently writes for WordGirl on PBS, for which he won an Emmy. The Big Splash is his first novel.