FICTION

The Prizewinners of Piedmont Place

by Bill DOYLE
illus. by Colin Jack. 192p. (The Prizewinners of Piedmont Place: Bk. 1). Random. Jul. 2016. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9780553521771; lib. ed. $18.99. ISBN 9780553521788.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–6—One lucky family have a chance to win everything they can carry from King Wonder's Wish Shoppe. Cal Talaska knows in his heart that his parents and siblings have what it takes to win the contest, but he has to convince them to participate first. They finally agree, albeit reluctantly, and qualify as finalists in the competition. Their stiffest competition comes from the Wylots, the family in town who have everything; Mr. Wylot is Cal's father's boss. When it becomes evident that the Wylots are willing to stop at nothing to demonstrate that they're the best, Cal and his extremely clever family must come together to prove them wrong. In this first installment of a new series, Doyle introduces readers to a charming (but quirky) family in the Talaskas, and readers cannot help but root for them to win.
VERDICT Despite a familiar plot, readers will enjoy the hilarious adventures of the Talaskas and will surely look forward to the next installment.
Reviewed by Wayne R. Cherry Jr., First Baptist Academy Library, Houston
In this self-consciously wacky series-starter, eleven-year-old Cal Talaska's quirky family competes to win the "Great Grab Contest" at a superstore. The evil, rich rival family feels stereotypical, but the financially struggling Talaska family (illustrated as mixed-race) is well developed and worth rooting for. Some of the jokes are belabored, but this is light and easy reading; Jack's black-and-white cartoons add appeal.
 , Jun 01, 2016

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