Devi Nair
š§ Listened in audio š¢ Narrated by: Nissae Isen ā± Duration: 6 hours š·ļø Publisher: Tundra Books Group
I have a soft spot for YA and middle-grade mysteries that sneak in lessons about real life under the cover of fun. Death by Whoopee Cushion does just that. Manya is exactly the right kind of twelve-year-old protagonist. She's sharp enough to carry the plot, self-aware enough to be funny, and emotionally messy in all the ways that feel true. She's growing up in her parents' joke shop, where fart gags and fake poop are serious business, but her real love is science. The cringe-worthy parent dynamic is played beautifully. It's not just a punchline, it's the whole emotional engine of the book. You feel the love underneath the embarrassment, and the tension behind"I love you but please stop" is something readers of every age will recognize immediately. The writing never over-explains. It just lives there, quietly doing the heavy-lifting.
What really got me though was the found family thread running through it all. Isaac's mom stepping up to protect Manya when her world falls apart, hit differently. The science woven into the mystery is clever enough without feeling like homework. It actually made me want to look things up, which is exactly what a good middle grade book should do. The pacing is tight. The mystery earns its resolution, and Nissae Isen's narration keeps the energy exactly where it's needed for six hours straight. This is the kind of book you'd hand to a kid and then quietly read it yourself.
Would I recommend it? This one's clever, heartfelt, and surprisingly profound for a story about prank gadgets. This book is not just for 12-year-olds but for everyone. It's a mystery that respects young adults enough to give them real stakes, real science, and real feelings. Vicki Grant knows exactly what she's doing, and the result is genuinely delightful. Perfect, though, for young readers who love science, humor, and good mysteries with actual heart.
š§ Listened in audio š¢ Narrated by: Nissae Isen ā± Duration: 6 hours š·ļø Publisher: Tundra Books Group
I have a soft spot for YA and middle-grade mysteries that sneak in lessons about real life under the cover of fun. Death by Whoopee Cushion does just that. Manya is exactly the right kind of twelve-year-old protagonist. She's sharp enough to carry the plot, self-aware enough to be funny, and emotionally messy in all the ways that feel true. She's growing up in her parents' joke shop, where fart gags and fake poop are serious business, but her real love is science. The cringe-worthy parent dynamic is played beautifully. It's not just a punchline, it's the whole emotional engine of the book. You feel the love underneath the embarrassment, and the tension behind"I love you but please stop" is something readers of every age will recognize immediately. The writing never over-explains. It just lives there, quietly doing the heavy-lifting.
What really got me though was the found family thread running through it all. Isaac's mom stepping up to protect Manya when her world falls apart, hit differently. The science woven into the mystery is clever enough without feeling like homework. It actually made me want to look things up, which is exactly what a good middle grade book should do. The pacing is tight. The mystery earns its resolution, and Nissae Isen's narration keeps the energy exactly where it's needed for six hours straight. This is the kind of book you'd hand to a kid and then quietly read it yourself.
Would I recommend it? This one's clever, heartfelt, and surprisingly profound for a story about prank gadgets. This book is not just for 12-year-olds but for everyone. It's a mystery that respects young adults enough to give them real stakes, real science, and real feelings. Vicki Grant knows exactly what she's doing, and the result is genuinely delightful. Perfect, though, for young readers who love science, humor, and good mysteries with actual heart.