(Review) Dead Frog on the Porch

Title: Dead Frog on the Porch
ISBN:9781926691060
Author: Jan Markley
Publisher:Gumboot Books
Publication Date:October 2009
Pages:252
Source: Received from author.

Synopsis:
Kids can change the world – even if it is one frog at a time. Sisters Cyd and Jane are propelled into an international plot involving evil scientists and giant, genetically stretched frogs. Will the twins win this hilarious race to save the frog kingdom?

MY THOUGHTS:
In December I was contacted by Jan to see if I would be interested in reading her two middle grade books Dead Frog on the Porch and Dead Bird Through the Cat Door. Seeing as they were middle grade books I jumped at the chance as I am always looking for middle grade books to review.

I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out Jan’s site and discovered that she is a Canadian author. An added bonus. I love discovering new authors and especially if they are Canadian.

This is the first book in the Megabyte Mystery series. This is a perfect book for the middle grade girl who loves a little mystery. I would say its the modern day version of Nancy Drew. (Sadly I never read Nancy Drew growing up. Although I probably should try them.)

The two main characters are twin sisters Cyd and Jane. You can tell they are modern day girls because they love blogging and are very technically savvy. Another thing the girls love is Nancy Drew books and Jane loves animals. You will see this throughout the book.

Dead Frog on the Porch opens up on the hottest summer day and Cyd makes a run for it to jump into a giant inflated inner tube and accidentally steps on Jane’s pet frog, Frogzilla. You know this isn’t going to be good.

The girls mom is a scientist and is very involved with her work at the lab. There are two new colleagues working with her and they are Rita Smalley, and Bert Tallbot. (the girls have given Bert the nicknamed The Cheese Pie Man) They have come over from England to work.

The girls know that something is up with them after they spot an Empire Meats truck sitting behind the lab. Suddenly frogs, cats and dogs go missing. The girls know that Smalley and Tallbot are behind it and know that they have to solve this mystery Nancy Drew style.

Through the girls investigation they realize that the scientist are coming up with formulas to make the frogs grow into giant frogs. They are doing this for Chef Oulette (Chef Omelette as the girls call him) who has also come over with Tallbot and Smalley. He is the man behind the whole operation.

At first it appears as though they are doing this to the frogs to get bug juice for a bug repellent but as more of the story is revealed the girls quickly realize that’s not the case. What could they possibly be doing with the frogs? Will Cyd and Jane crack the case before its too late for them and their mom?

I really enjoyed this book and I have to admit that I had a hard time to put it down. There was enough action happening to make it a page turner and I managed to finish this in one afternoon.

I am sure middle grade girls will really enjoy this story and this series of books.

Check back on Monday when I review Dead Bird Through the Cat Door and on Tueday I will be sharing an interview I got to do with Jan Markley.