Crazy in Poughkeepsie

When Mick comes home from summer camp, he finds an old man and a dog staying in his room. The old man is a guru, and Mick’s brother Maurice had brought him home from his travels. Mick and the guru get into the habit of walking around Poughkeepsie with the dog every day. Soon they hook up with Vern Chuckoff, Mick’s friend from camp, and his friend Molly, who, it seems, is crazy. They discover an old factory that is filled with ghosts, including the ghost of a whale named Luna. Luna is not happy where she is. She needs to be transported to where other whale ghosts are. The guru arranges to buy a circus wagon for that transport. Thus begins an incredible journey for Mick, Vern Chuckoff, crazy Molly, Luna, the guru, and the dog.

Daniel Pinkwater has written a very clever and funny story that will keep middle graders, even reluctant readers, fully engaged and turning pages right through to the end. The characters are fully formed and fascinating. The story is very compelling and the writing is superb, with snappy dialogue and excellent description. If quirky is something readers enjoy, this is the book for them.