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Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Review: Sandapalooza Shake-Up (Welcome to Wonderland #3) by Chris Grabenstein




Sandapalooza Shake-Up 
(Welcome to Wonderland #3) 
By Chris Grabenstein 
May 22, 2018 
Random House BFYR 
Source: from pub for review 

Life's a vacation when you live in the world's wackiest motel!  

P.T. and his best friend, Gloria, are getting ready for St. Pete Beach's first-ever Sandapalooza! The Wonderland's biggest rival, the Conch Reef Resort, is doing everything it can to win the sand sculpture contest, but P.T. has bigger problems: The Wonderland has opened a new restaurant--the Banana Shack--and running a restaurant is harder than it looks! And to make matters worse, a royal guest's priceless tiara has gone missing, and the prime suspect is the Wonderland's beloved housekeeper! Can P.T. and Gloria win the contest, keep the restaurant going, and clear Clara's name? 



 CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is a #1 New York Times bestselling. His books include the LEMONCELLO LIBRARY series, the WONDERLAND series, and many fun and funny page-turners co-authored with James Patterson. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com. 

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The wacky Wonderland Motel is doing better than ever after an unforgettable blockbuster movie was shot there. All the rooms are booked, the newly opened Banana Shack is a hit with guests, and the hotel has even snagged its first royal guests! P.T. Wilkie, the greatest storyteller on St. Pete Beach, and his pal and partner, business savvy Gloria, are all set to enjoy the hard earned success and have fun at the Sandapoolza sandcastle sculpture contest. But then the sleazy owners of the Conch Reef Resort next door are up to their dirty tricks again and to make matters worse, the royal guests' priceless tiara goes missing. It's up to P.T. and Gloria to find the thief and save their beloved motel! 

Chris Grabenstein returns to his rollicking Welcome To Wonderland middle-grade series with book three, Sandapalooza Shake-Up, and he brings all the wacky, laugh-out-loud good times from books one and two with him. 

I was super excited when this book showed up on my doorstep because I've come to expect great things from this series and book three does not disappoint! Sandapalooza Shake-Up is bursting with this series' signature charming humor, addicting and clever mysteries and adventure, and surprising heart. Fast-paced, with a pitch-perfect middle-grade voice, Sandapalooza Shake-Up delivers zings and excitement from page one and doesn't let up until the very last word. The age-appropriate humor is outrageously over-the-top in the best way possible, while the mysteries are smartly crafted with plenty of twists and thrills, and both will keep young readers wildly entertained and thoroughly engaged. 

All the wonderful characters I've come to love (P.T., Gloria, P.T.'s mom and grandpa, Gloria's dad, etc.) are back in Sandapalooza Shake-Up, as well as some fun, quirky new characters (a Parrothead named Jimbo, some laid-back sand artistes, some snooty royals). And of course, the most unforgettable and lovable character of all- the Wonderland Motel itself – takes center stage with its kooky statues, delicious new food stand, and enthralling stories! 

Sandapalooza Shake-Up is another fantastically fun and off-the-charts funny book in a superb series that I've come to really love and look forward to. A perfect summer read for kids! 

MY RATING
5/5 Cupcakes

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