My Buddy, the King: A Novel

Grade 4-7-- In this comedy thriller, 14-year-old Timothy Quilt, whose parents conveniently are away on a business trip, saves the life of the teenage king of Mokobway at the local Slurp Shoppe when Timothy performs the Heimlich Maneuever on King Tokab to prevent his choking on a hot dog. The U. S. government is interested in wooing the young king, whose country has lots of oil. Timothy becomes, for one week, an agent for the supersecret intelligence agency, SIS--BOOM--BAH. Brittain pokes good-natured fun at the endless acronyms of our time, and offers a wry look at American culture, its commuters and suburbanites, through the eyes of the foreign king visiting Long Island. Timothy discovers not only that spying is dangerous, but also that, for him, a very real friendship is more important than the abstractions of government and country. This is a light-hearted story that blends comedy with thrills at a pace rapid enough to entertain the most reluctant reader. One can't help but miss the wonder and masterful story-telling of the "Coven Tree" books (Harper); still, this is vintage Brittain: an intentional stretching of credibility; a playful handling of fantasy; a sense of humor and irony; and a true ear for dialogue. --Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

As in The Fantastic Freshman , Brittain presents an ordinary boy in an extraordinary predicament. This time, the result is a madcap adventure tinged with foreign intrigue. The escapade begins when Timothy Quilt, 14, saves a young king from choking. The incident is witnessed by government officials and Tim is summoned to act as King Tokab's guide. What follows is a string of hilarious episodes featuring larger-than-life characters. Timothy narrowly escapes two assassination attempts, exposes the would-be killers and persuades the king to change the educational system in his country. And Tim's heroics are applauded and highly rewarded. Readers will find Tim's ability to outwit grownups extremely satisfying; most will recognize and appreciate the story's satire and will not fail to be entertained. Ages 10-13.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.