Reading Metrics
Description
Polly and her friend Friday find themselves tangled in another absurd scheme when the townsfolk of Lamonic Bibber begin revering a massive cherry tree deep in the Forest of Runtus. It looks like the notorious Mr. Gum and his sidekick Billy Williams are behind the strange cult, using the tree for a villainous plot. Polly and Friday must outwit the duo and uncover the tree's dark secret before the town is forever under its spell.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a book that'll make your kid laugh out loud while secretly teaching them about friendship and standing up to ridiculous villains, the Mr Gum series is where it's at. Andy Stanton writes with a kind of absurd, silly energy that reminds me of Roald Dahl meets Cartoons, and the fourth installment with the cherry tree is especially memorable Polly and Friday end up dealing with a whole town that's been tricked into worshipping a tree, which is exactly as weird and wonderful as it sounds. The humor is dark enough to feel edgy and funny to kids, but never actually scary, making it perfect for middle graders who want something a little mischievous. It's a quick read at around 12,000 words, so even reluctant readers can power through it without getting intimidated, and the short chapters keep the pacing snappy. There's also a really sweet friendship dynamic between Polly and Friday underneath all the silliness that gives the story some heart. If your kid enjoys Captain Underpants or the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, they'll probably fall in love with Mr Gum's ridiculous world too.