by Ben Mezrich (Author)
Charlie and the Whiz Kids discover a prehistoric mammoth tusk and stumble right into the nefarious clutches of an eccentric billionaire in this hilarious third novel of the Charlie Numbers series.
Charlie Numbers and his gang of Whiz Kids--along with a few new allies--are on another mission: this time, to uncover the truth behind the mysterious mammoth tusk they found buried in the Boston Public Gardens.
Their hunch? Blake Headstrom, eccentric billionaire, philanthropist, and collector of some renown, has been smuggling mammoth tusks into the city. The only question is: Why? Selling woolly mammoth tusks isn't illegal...but selling elephant ivory is. And Charlie's certain Headstrom's plans are more sinister than they seem.
But Headstrom is a powerful man, with powerful connections. If the Whiz Kids want to expose him for the criminal they know he is, they're going to have to catch him red-handed. Now if only Headstrom's henchmen weren't lurking at every turn...
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Formulaic and busy
Gr 4-6--In this mystery for math and science lovers, the Whiz Kids discover a woolly mammoth tusk and some strange red rock in the Boston Public Gardens. Who buried these artifacts, and why? The Whiz Kids, along with some new friends and a mad scientist, are on the case. Though readers unfamiliar with the series will understand this title, they'll enjoy the books more if they read them in sequence. Elements of math and science enhance the twisty plot, and the characters are knowledgeable in various areas: rocks, fossils, and more. The Whiz Kids, along with readers, learn about carbon dating and differentiating between elephant and woolly mammoth tusks. Even Newton's third law of motion plays a role. There are also a few history lessons on Boston thrown in. The novel is packed with information and advanced vocabulary, which could hinder appeal to reluctant readers. VERDICT Recommended for series fans and advanced readers with mathematical and scientific interests. For larger collections.--Rebecca Fitzgerald, Harrison Public Library, NY
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