Synopsis: If Gil Goodson can win the Golly Toy & Game Company's ultimate stunt and puzzle competition, his family will have the money to move away from Orchard Heights and all the bad things that have plagued them since the trial.
Review: The Gollywhopper Games is a cross between Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Balliett's The Wright Three. It has all the humor of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory without the bleakness, and it has all the brain-teasers of The Wright Three without any of the characters seeming stuffy. Jody Feldman has written a fun, fast-paced novel that gives kids credit for the brains in their heads and the kindness in their hearts.
The last 18 months have not been easy for Gil Goodson and his family. Gil's father was accused of embezzling funds from his employer, Golly Toy & Game Company. While his father was found not guilty of all charges, the little town of Orchard Heights has been hard-pressed to forget the incident. Gil believes that the only way for his family to move on is for him to win the Gollywhopper Games. The Gollywhopper Games are being held to celebrate Golly Toy & Game Company's 50th anniversary. If he can win the challenge, his family will have enough money to move away from Orchard Heights, but it will also provide Gil a bit of vindication against his father's former employer.
On his quest, Gil has to team up with 4 other kids. His favorite is Bianca LaBlanc. She's 15 and wants to be a supermodel. She just hopes being a contestant will get her on T.V. Then there's Lavinia Plodder. Lavinia is very smart, but her mother pushes her too hard and treats her like she's 5. Thorton Dewitt-Formey basically bought his way into the competition by buying a bunch of Golly toys, but he's pretty smart if not a bit on the wimpy side. Finally, there's brawny Rocky Titus. Rocky's dad used to work for Golly too, and he's not above taking some cheap shots at Gil.
With a quick moving plot, challenging puzzles, a sinister enough villain, and a main character who is smart, nice and a "good son", Jody Feldman really has created a winner in The Gollywhopper Games.
Thanks so much for your wonderful review, Ami. I'm so glad you liked the book.
Posted by: Jody Feldman | March 11, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Wonderful review! Can't wait to get my hands on this book!
N.A. Nelson
Posted by: Nina Nelson | March 18, 2008 at 04:00 PM