The FRANKINSCHOOL series adds a third book as the three main characters return to take on a new mystery.. Previously reviewed here were Books 1 and 2, MONSTERMATCH and THE CUPSNAKE ESCAPE.
Each book reads fine on its own but starting at the beginning will allow you to experience how the characters and story line evolve. Fun illustrations and larger print give each story more of a chapter book feel, but each would be a perfect bridge to longer MG novels.
In Gone to the Dogs! Luisa, Drake, Fred are working on a research project. The topic is “World-Changing Ideas” with a slight twist. They have to use the old way of doing research with card catalogs and finding those books in the library. Fred is cranky about the whole process and would rather use the internet.
Fred tries to get out of the project by turning back into his alternate identity, FrankinSchool. Using his previous strategy of writing a poem doesn’t work. Instead it is Luisa’s poem that does the trick as the boys turn into Frankinschool and Snake-ula. From here they meet up again with Frank the Custodian ghost who is helping another ghost deal with his reading problem. Drake’s report on having children read to service dogs seems to be the ticket for success.
The less than 120 pages are a quick read and having the library as as part of a mansion makes for an ideal setting. Geared toward ages 7-11, FRANKINSCHOOL-Gone to the Dogs will have you anxious to see more in this series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR
Caryn Rivadeneira Caryn Rivadeneira is the author of seven books–for both children and adults. Her most recent titles include Grit and Grace: Heroic Women of the Bible and The Story of Noah’s Ark (both SparkHouse Family). Caryn serves on the worship staff at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church and is a proud member of INK: A Creative Collective and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Caryn lives in the near-west suburbs of Chicago with her husband, three kids, and one rescued pit bull.
Visit Caryn at carynrivadeneira.com. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
DANI JONES is an illustrator, artist, comics creator, and writer.
She is the author and illustrator of MONSTERS VS. KITTENS and it’s follow-up DINOSAURS VS. PUPPIES, children’s books published by Stan Lee’s Kids Universe. She is also the illustrator of the New York Times best-selling POPULARMMOS graphic novel series from HarperCollins.
Dani has produced and self-published several projects, including the all-ages sci-fi webcomic MY SISTER THE FREAK, a graphic novel adaptation of the classic book LITTLE WOMEN, and the Halloween short story FROSTY THE GOURDMAN. She is currently updating the webcomic EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK.
Her work has been used in a variety of media including picture books, comics, graphic novels, magazines, mobile apps, and educational publishing. She is represented in the children’s industry by Tugeau 2 Artist Representatives.
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Always in the Middle... 
I wish my library had them.