Baltazar Ray Reviews

Added September 6, 2004

The Adventures of the FancyCrazyHydrants: The Mission

Author: Baltazar Ray
Publisher: FancyCrazy Publishing
Available At: www.fancycrazyhydrants.com
Publishing Date: December 15, 2004
Genre: Middle Reader: Adventure/Futuristic
Format: Paperback
Price: $17.95
ISBN: 0-9745386-9-8
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo

The newest superhero on the block may be as close as your curb!

Super Fire Hydrants may look ordinary, but they are highly intelligent and programmed with special abilities. They were installed in average neighborhoods, and could put out fires by themselves. Unfortunately, it's now the year 2999, and the law required them to be destroyed. Dr. Woolf disagreed with this law and began designing fire hydrants using antique bodies. He called his project Fancy Crazy Hydrants. With the help of super computers, these hydrants once again regained their superhero status.

Yet, if there is a need for superheroes, it's because there are super villains. Hydra and Pluggo, recently awakened hydrants, set off on a mission to battle evil and clean up the world.

Young readers will find this unique story amusing and interesting. The concept of hero hydrants is tangible, because of the presence of fire plugs throughout everyone's neighborhoods. Since fire hydrants are already accepted as necessary to put out fires, the idea of them expanding their rescuer roles is somehow fitting. The chapters are short, and would make a good read-aloud book.

The author has a nice touch of humor and this reviewer had to laugh at the dog and fire hydrant jokes. There was also plenty of action to keep young readers turning the pages. This book is the first in a series, and those magic words "to be continued" will certainly have readers wondering what happens next.

The story maintains a fast pace and introduces a variety of secondary characters. Young readers will be able to relate to the technological aspects, thanks to the abundance of electronic toys for this age group, and they will delight in the clever theme.

FancyCrazyHydrants: The Mission is a fun read with a new kind of hero.

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