*The Big Splash

This week, I began reading The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo.  I have to admit, it is a hard book for me to connect to, but I think especially upper elementary and middle school boys would really enjoy.  I do however really enjoy the overall theme of the book-- I it's great how it is easy to visualize what the author is trying to portray.


Matt Stevens is a seventh grader who plays the role of private detective amongst his classmates.  The school is practically run by a boy, Vinny, and his clique (which includes Matt's old best friend). Matt seems to dislike Vinny and the crew, but reluctantly takes a job (hey, who wouldn't take twenty bucks?!)fetching a good luck token from an ex-member, Nikki.

Nicole (aka Nikki), a girl that used to be part of Vinny's circle of rebels, was recently put on the 'Outs' (let's just say 'Outs' it's pretty mortifying and makes people not want to seen with you). Matt's job is currently to solve who Outted Nicole.  Everyone in school wants to know who FINALLY got her...apparently she had this coming for quite some time.  There are so many possibilities, and for some reason I want to believe Vinny when he says it's not him or his friends! Hmm...


Anyways, Matt seems to enjoy being a private detective.  I also think he will use his knowledge to try and find his father, who has left years ago.  He has one clue: TMS136P15, a combination of numbers and letters left behind in an old glove box. I will be anxious to discover if Matt finds the answers he may be looking for.


This book contains a lot of material that could connect to many readers, many children are raised by one parent, such as Matt.  Peer pressure and bullying are often two additional factors in a middle-school boys' life that the readers can experience with him.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out throughout the book, will the big splash put Vinny and friends out of the business of doing illegal things in school?

Time to get back to reading, check back soon :)