Brain Freeze!

April 1, 2014
In a series opener heavily sprinkled with references to butts, boogers and farting, a fourth-grader discovers that frozen treats give him superpowers. Irwin Snackcracker makes this discovery when chomping into a Fudgsicle results in superspeed and a conversation with a squirrel. Hot on the heels of this incident, he comes home to the revelation that such abilities run in the family--in fact, his Grandpa Gus and flatulent canine sidekick are actually renowned heroes Mighty Super Gus and Capt. Corgi. Both the amateurish cartoon illustrations, which look like they were digitally crafted in the 1980s, and Irwin's accompanying narrative are so redolent with booger-waving and other heavy-handed juvenile crudites ("Butt...now that's a funny word. Classic") that the plot comes off as an afterthought. No sooner does Irwin get a cool costume of his very own (with ICK, for "Ice Cream Kid" across the chest) than he's off with his elder relative to corral Sweaty Crocker, a school lunch lady jailed for "excessive toenails in the meatloaf" and other crimes but now on the loose. Can she be stopped before she releases the monstrous repurposed school kitchen oven Choptimus Grime upon the unsuspecting citizens of Mock City? Only the very specific audience Clark has in mind will care, and even they may not care very much. ("fun facts and activities," not seen) (Fantasy. 8-10)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 3-5-Irwin Snackcraker is your average fourth grader. He loves booger picking, greasy pizza squares, and ice cream. His love of ice cream changes his life when he finds the elusive last fudgesicle hiding behind the lame ice-cream sandwiches. One bite and he begins to tingle, his superpowers emerge, and he discovers new powers with each bite. Irwin also learns that his family has been fighting crime in his town for decades with the same abilities. This book is full of potty humor that reluctant readers will love. It is silly, and the frequent full-color cartoons add comedic value. Fans of Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" (Scholastic) will love this booger-and-flatulence-filled chapter book.-Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

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