The Field of Wacky Inventions

July 15, 2013
Another topsy-turvy adventure takes place in this last episode in Carman's hotel trilogy. This is really a trilogy that's best read from the beginning, as the beguiling nature of the hotels being assembled here--top floors only, all secret chambers except to heroes Leo and Remi--delivered by great airships, needs some explaining. Carman has so many balls in the air that it is good to have background, but nimble readers should be able to pick up where things are and enjoy this exploration through the titular field of wacky inventions and accompanying riddles. It's all a challenge set forth before the managers of Merganzer D. Whippet's hotels to see who will "run all my hotels. I'm expanding into Europe. And Japan. The Ukraine is very promising." But Whippet is a thoroughly lovely character, not some money-grubber, and the contest to see who will run the grand hotel is both droll and exciting. There is also, happily reported, his cast of queer and delightful players, now including a miniature T. Rex and a girl stowaway, Lucy, who add more to the storyline than any battery of flamethrowers or homicidal roller-coaster rides. As in the two previous volumes, the writing is fluid, with quiet stretches interrupted by rapids and whirlpools. The quirkiness of Carman's tale could easily become too familiar, but he pulls new rabbits out of his storytelling sleeve pretty much with each turn of the page, keeping them turning. (Adventure. 9-12)

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February 1, 2014

Gr 3-6-In this conclusion to the humorous series, two boys find themselves on a hotel roof that has floated through the sky and landed in the Field of Wacky Inventions. Eleven-year-olds Remi and Leo soon discover that this is all just a part of zany hotel mogul Merganzer Whippet's new plan. Whippet, who has led them on whirlwind adventures before, has devised a contest to see who will run his hotels. Using some of his most fantastic inventions, the boys must compete against rival hotel managers to find the clues that will help put them all of the gadgets together and stack the floors into a new hotel. This is a fast-paced, funny, and charming book that is ideal for engaging reluctant readers. Filled with quirky characters, made up words (glooooob!), and marvelous rooms, kids will want to follow Remi and Leo on their adventure to the very end. While it can certainly be enjoyed as a stand alone, kids will want to read the first two so that all of the moving parts can finally come together and pay off.-Kerry Roeder, Professional Children's School, New York City

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