News and events
READ TREASURE FEVER and win an Andy Griffiths Library
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| Have you caught the treasure fever yet?
DMAG are giving away the COMPLETE SET of Andy Griffiths’ books, a SIGNED Andy Griffiths poster and heaps upon heaps of chocolate coins. Now THAT’S what we call a treasure. FOR MORE DETAILS GO TO |
| http://www.dmag.com.au/competitions.asp |
Posted on 10 June 2008 Permanent link to this post Comments (7)
TREASURE FEVER: more reviews
The book is simple, silly fun. Silly students, sillier teachers, a silly school, and a silly situation all add up to a silly story. Pretty much what you would expect from Andy Griffiths, but without the bum jokes. I am becoming quite a fan of Andy Griffiths and there is no denying that the kids (especially boys) love him.
http://bookboy.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/treasure-fever-by-andy-griffiths/
I enjoyed Treasure Fever so much that I almost missed my lift. I was supposed to be looking out of the window for my friend Elwys, but got carried away with the book. Elwys said it must be a good read so I lent it to her. She enjoyed it too.
Dulcie Groves, 85, Golden Square
Andy Griffiths is already such a big name in children’s literature. His work continues to entertain and amuse, his most recent novel is no exception. I really enjoyed this book and kept reading sections out loud to my co-workers! For now, I’ll leave you with Mr Brainfright’s important lesson no. 1: When you’re breathing, it’s very important not to fall out the window!
http://www.robinsonsbooks.com.au/
Posted on 1 June 2008 Permanent link to this post Comments (7)
TREASURE FEVER: Latest reviews
I loved Treasure Fever! so much I finished it in a day.
–Andrew, Age 10
Treasure Fever!, the first book in a series called Schooling Around, makes no attempt to be moralistic or educational. It’s simply fun; a rambling series of events that entertain from the first to last word. The action is fast-paced, with quick dialogue, short chapters and some zany characters.
The tale is told from the point of view of Henry McThrottle, a fifth-grade student whose class has a new teacher. The outrageous and nonsensical Mr Brainfright uses teaching methods as unlikely as his name. “Mr Brainfright’s important lesson No.1: When you’re breathing, it’s very important not to fall out the window.”
It’s no accident that the truly batty characters in Treasure Fever! are adults; it’s empowering for kids to encounter seniors they can make fun of and feel superior to without fear of reprisal. It’s joyously subversive. There’s Mrs Cross, the angry disciplinarian; Principal Greenbeard, the wannabe pirate who speaks in pirate catchphrases; Mr Shush, the edgy librarian; and Mr Brainfright, whose introduction sparks a series of events that has Henry and his classmates searching the school for buried treasure.
That Henry and his friends are victorious in the end is also satisfying for young readers. The kids team up to overcome and outsmart the school bully, Fred Durkin, and the interfering teachers (who display varying degrees of insanity). It’s an adventure set in familiar territory (school), with a great sense of urgency and anticipation.
For a change, Griffiths steers clear of the scatological (poo/bum/fart stuff) but there’s plenty of nonsense, which he does well. Treasure Fever! actually shares some features of Roald Dahl’s work. For example, Mr Brainfright jumps off the page with a similar absurdity that made Dahl’s chocolate-maker, Willy Wonka, an eternal favourite (perhaps incidentally, Brainfright also wears a purple jacket.)
Griffiths is popular because his readers don’t see an ulterior motive at play in his work. His stories, including Treasure Fever, are easy to read, entertaining and silly. Unlike some more critically acclaimed, award-winning books, reading them is not a chore for kids – it’s a LOL, LMAO pleasure. And the fun is set to continue in September with the release of the second book in this new series: Pencil of Doom.
–The Sydney Morning Herald
Posted on 1 May 2008 Permanent link to this post Comments (4)
TREASURE FEVER! Now available with free pencil case!
Treasure Fever is the first in Andy Griffiths’s highly anticipated new Schooling Around series: a set of four novels chronicling the amazing goings on at Northwest Southeast Central School. Imagine a novel length treatment of one of the short stories from the JUST! Series and you’re getting warm. Imagine one of the BUM trilogy novels without the bums… and you’re getting even warmer. Imagine a funny, charming and exciting novel set in a most unusual school… well you don’t have to imagine it because SCHOOLING AROUND is already here! Along with stunning cover artwork from world renowned artist Nathan Jurevicius, they are sure to appeal to both confident and emerging readers of all ages. They are also ideal for both parents and classroom teachers to read aloud.