MrsK Books: The Case of the Cursed DoDo by Jake G. Panda

Saturday, February 7, 2015

The Case of the Cursed DoDo by Jake G. Panda

ISBN: 9780990939115

Publisher's Synopsis:

If you're looking for trouble, you've found it. The name's Jake G. Panda, and trouble seems to follow me wherever I go. I work in the protection racket at a flophouse for endangered critters called the Last Resort. I'm the hotel snoop. The resident fuzz. It's my job to keep these guests safe and outta harm's way. This is the first of my many misadventures. A wild and woolly mystery involving a lost suitcase, a green bird, and a bunch of double-crossing animals. I'm calling this jungle noir The Case of the Cursed Dodo.

This hilarious first installment of The Endangered Files follows Jake, a hard-boiled panda detective, and an unusual cast of endangered creatures on a globe-trotting adventure that will appeal to young and old alike.

MrsK's Review:

"Dear Readers: This is not your garden-variety book.

It's actually a long-lost movie.

And the story's written in a rare film format called Endanger'D'Scope.

That means it might read a little different than what you're used to.

Don't be alarmed.

Think of yourself as a brave explorer, venturing into an uncharted type of fiction.

Something I'm calling Jungle Noir.

Now grab yourself a bucket of popcorn and kick back.

The show's about to begin..."

Every time I open a new book I discover a new connection with writer's. Everything about this opening "hook" promised an encounter with unexpected twists and turns which leaves you wanting more Jake G Panda cases.

As the case begins, Jake is in his "caged" office in the deep Moroccan forest:

"How'd I get in this jam?

It has somethin' to do with a lost suitcase,

a green bird, and a bunch of double-crossing animals."

It all began in a "little joint" called the Last Resort where Jake works as the hotel "snoop" (the go-to guy, you know the detective that protects the occupants and anything valuable). "Protection" is his business and everyone knows to go to his office, Room 618.

On this day, Jake receives a postcard from the Professor who is always "hopping the globe," in search of any type of endangered artifacts. Little does Jake know that within minutes he would be getting an anxious phone call from the Professor. It seems that the Professor is in trouble, he located a mysterious suitcase in the Moroccan desert and it appears that he was being followed. I must warn you that thinking you are being followed and being nabbed in mid-sentence are not the same situations. What else could Jake do... he had to find the Professor which would all begin once he finds his way to the Critter Bazaar. Will he be able to find any type of a lead about the Professor? What could be so valuable about an old suitcase?

With a "free-falling" entrance, Jake enters the Midnight Oasis (a real sleazy joint). Unfortunately for Jake, the sleazy... no good... bad to the spine (more like slime) bad guys are everywhere. Once they know he is looking for the suitcase and the Professor, all sorts of mayhem is set into motion, including being poached as an endangered species (worth big bucks to those who are not so nice).

After an escape with the Professor, Jake finds himself in an underground tunnel with Nina the jackrabbit who has all the right moves. Her connections will get them back to the Last Resort. Would you have thought that a jackrabbit in camo could best everyone? Of course being connected with the Endangered Underground has its perks.

Whether its the twists and turns in a Moroccan bazaar, or it could have been the disastrous train attack, and then again it might have been all the "shady" doings within the hotel (a huge revelation for our hotel detective)... regardless, you will be on the "brink" of laughter with every "sleuthing" detail. There is no character "un-described" that will not have you convinced that this detective is the real-deal... a true to the mold "gumshoe."

Are you wondering about the Dodo in the title? Sorry, I do not disclose any of the details that would keep you from opening this mystery... besides, you wouldn't believe me...

As the reader, you are going to enjoy this journey... have fun!

MrsK

A perfectly delightful mystery...

A must enjoy for every independent reader!

Get it for your classroom and/or school library shelves.

Meet the Author:

Jake G. Panda is a hard-nosed bear investigator. He likes bamboo and saving endangered animals. He is the author of The Endangered Files, a mystery series about his misadventures in the protection business.

His partner in crime, the fella who helps write these books because, let's be honest, it's not easy typing with big, clunky bear paws, resides somewhere in New England. He has written his fair share of stuff, mostly for the big screen. And some of it has actually been projected. He likes to keep a low profile and lets Jake do all the talking.

"I received this book for free for this review."

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)