Fuzzy Mud - A Review

Published - August 2015, Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Author - Louis Sachar
Title - Fuzzy Mud
Format - hardcover, ebook, audio
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Marshall Walsh is a 7th grader at the prestigious private school, Woodridge Academy. He always walks home with 5th grader Tamaya Dhilwaddi. Their route is predictable, after all they're both good kids. But when bully Chad Hilligas picks a fight with Marshall one day, their routine is changed. Marshall wants to avoid a fight and decides to take a short-cut through the off-limit woods. Tamaya joins him. Neither child realizes that those steps into the woods will change their lives. They soon discover that there is a substance that is dangerous. When a classmate goes missing, both Marshall and Tamaya head back to the woods, because they KNOW what happened. As authorities become involved, Marshall, Tamaya, and Chad learn the importance of friendship. And their knowledge of the substance may just save the entire world's population. Provided they can be rescued in time.

I've long enjoyed Louis Sachar's books. I remember reading the Wayside Stories books as a child. I remember being in college when Holes came out in 1998. I was fascinated with it.

When I saw this one available to review on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to review it. Yes, I know. It's not my usual read of Christian fiction. But it's fun to branch out on occasion.

But this is a book that, like Holes, will grip the reader. I loved how he brought the details of a disaster to light, but kept it simple. The main characters are the kids. The other details are found out through the government investigations.

I also really liked Tamaya. She's a good girl. She wants so hard to be noticed. But she's a good girl. Yet when she IS finally noticed, all she wants is for her life to return to normal. I also think it's kinda cute the way that she seems to be rather protective of Marshall and later Chad.

I think that this is a book that would generate plenty of classroom discussion if it were read aloud in the class. The reading level is targeted at grade 5, but as a read aloud, students in 3rd or 4th grade would enjoy it.

I received the Kindle version of the book from NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Louis Sachar, children's literature, Katherine Applegate, Drew Daywalt, R.J. Palacio, librarians, Jessica Day George.

Rating - 4 stars