Jody Feldman

This review originally published at The Children's Book and Media Review

Zane isn’t that interested in the Gollywhopper Games. He is a football player, and his big dream is to play in the NFL until his second concussion prevents him from playing football for a year. He’s not sure what he’s going to be able to do with his life, so when he gets an opportunity to compete in the Gollywhopper Games, he decides to use his skills of determining strategy to win the Games to make up for not being able to play football. In these Gollywhopper Games, the challenges involve friends who can help them succeed and foes that make it more difficult, but the Gollywhopper officials are trying to find the foe in their midst that has been sabotaging the games. Zane makes friends and solves puzzles as he competes in the games.

While this book doesn’t have the novelty of the first Gollywhopper Games book, it continues to bring puzzles that readers can solve along with the main characters. Zane is different from the other main characters in the companion books, being more brawny than brainy but still using strategy and logic to figure out the puzzles. His friendship with Elijah is a fun aspect of the book, because even though the two characters have completely different hobbies and ways of looking at the world they are both able to work together while still recognizing each other as competitors. For fans of books where the readers get to solve the puzzles just as much as the main characters do, this book will not disappoint.… (lisätietoja)

Gil's life changed for the worse after his father got in trouble with the law. Kids stare at him at school and everyone around town treats them differently. He doesn't even know what his father did! All Gil wants to do is move far away and leave their troubles behind. Then an opportunity to make some money arises when the local toy company puts on a contest full of puzzles and games. Gil sets a goal to become the grand prize winner hoping they can use the money to move. "Are you ready? Gil Goodson's future happiness depends on winning the Golly Toy & Game Company's ultimate competition. If Gil wins, his dad has promised that the family can move away from all the gossip, false friends, and bad press that have plagued them ever since The Incident. Inside the toy company's fantastic headquarters, Gil will have to master trivia, solve puzzles, and complete physical stunts—and he'll have to do it better than all of the other kids competing. Oh, and did we mention that Gil's every step—and every mistake—will be broadcast on national television? Hold on tight, because the ride of his life is about to begin!"… (lisätietoja)