Newspaper Caper (Tweener Press Adventure Series)

Max Elliot Anderson
Tweener Press (2004)
ISBN 0972925643
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (4/06)

Tom Stevens and his best friends Jimmy Wilson and Matt Woodbridge are 12 year old boys who live in Rock Island, IL near the Mississippi River. It is summer, and the boys want to earn some money, so Tom, a master salesman, talks his friends into taking on three paper routes in the neighborhood which means the boys must awaken each day at 4:30 A.M. in order to get the papers wrapped and delivered on time. He tells his friends this will get them in shape for trying out and playing football in the fall; all three boys’ dream. A daily reward for the boys is their delivery at Big Bob’s Doughnut Shop where Bob generously treats the boys to orange juice and a doughnut each day. What a reward for a 12 year old boy!

All goes well for the boys, besides the occasional dog chasing after them, until they begin to see some odd things happening in the early morning hours. A truck bearing the words SMITTY’ S TOWING acts very odd and leaves quickly when the driver sees the boys have noticed him, and he quickly drives away without towing the intended car. Soon after, the boys learn of unexplained car thefts occurring around town.

Jimmy’s uncle owns P.J.’s Auto Repair, so the boys begin hanging around and asking questions, trying to learn all they can about why the mysterious truck acted as it did, thinking someone at the repair shop might have some knowledge about Smitty’s Towing. They boys learn about chop shops and what happens to cars after they are stolen and how reselling car parts is a very lucrative business. The boys are surprised to learn that sometimes a car thief will make a deal with the car owner so that when the car shell is found, the original owner can turn this loss into their insurance company and get paid for their loss. They learn the insurance company comes out the loser in this situation, but in reality, we ultimately all pay with higher rates. Deceit hurts everyone.

Exciting times ensue for the three boys, and they see some strange things going on around town; such as one person gets out and deposits his trash in a container, then along comes another person who takes the trash out and drives off with it! They encounter vicious guard dogs, and they come up with some quite ingenious ways to subdue the animals. The boys also learn of some resources available at the library that are helpful in their quest to unravel the puzzle. While investigating some leads, Tom meets a little old lady on a park bench near the library whom he learns has had her car, a last gift from her now deceased husband, stolen. He promises the little old lady he will do all he can to help her find her car again, for she now must take a bus or walk everywhere she goes, but even more importantly, for sentimental reasons. The license plate bearing the title “PRINCESS” is especially meaningful to the little lady. The boys get in several very precarious circumstances and the story is exciting! The plot will keep you passionately turning pages!

This story is a great book for all 12 year olds, and I believe even those who find it difficult to become engrossed in a book will find results here. Another item I liked about the book was that the boys are aptly rewarded by the city for doing their civic duty. I found that in itself a good message to kids. Max Elliot Anderson offers a book with good values, a healthy lesson, plus the bonus of a great and exciting story. It is a page turner that will keep you and your child fascinated!

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