Official Review: Shasha and Wally Watson Vs. The Faker

Post by **bookowlie** » 13 Feb 2016, 12:29

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Shasha and Wally Watson Vs. The Faker" by Ted Kelsey.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Shasha and Wally Watson vs. The Faker by Ted Kelsey is one of those children’s books that will make you laugh right from the first page. Ten-year-old Wally narrates this wacky mystery of a missing girl who was last seen with a white cat. He and his sister Shasha investigate the case with occasional input from their grandfather. Shasha is a wannabee detective and it certainly helps that Wally is a quirky sort that remembers minute details wherever he goes. Meanwhile, there is a smelly stranger going around town in various disguises and asking questions about the missing girl. Wally now has a new fear to add to his long list, the stranger he calls “the Faker.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The zany characters are realistically written. Wally appears to have Asperger’s syndrome or a similar disorder. He has these eccentricities where he has to start over if he colors outside the lines or sneezes while drawing, only eats foods of certain colors, quickly counts large amount of items in his head, etc. When Wally is under stress, he will count items repetitively to calm down. The siblings make a good investigative team since Wally has an amazing memory for details and Shasha is good at analyzing the clues. Their grandfather, a retired crime reporter, straddles the line between pertinent conversation and off-topic ramblings. In addition to causing a lot of eye-rolling, his comments are sometimes helpful.

The author’s easy, breezy writing is witty and flows at a quick pace. Many clues and details are included, but the storyline never feels weighed down. The sentences are relatively short, but Wally’s narration is smart and snappy. The siblings’ personalities are contrasted well with Wally’s obsessive counting and eye for minor details and Sasha’s methodical investigative style. She has a talent for making sense out of Wally’s random information, while he only sees the trees, not the forest. The author does a good job of subtly conveying Shasha’s fearlessness and her brother’s unrealistic, “king of the worrywarts” ways.

The ending is creative and hilarious. I thought I had figured out one part of the ending and then there turned out to be a few interesting twists that surprised me. I applaud the author for inserting bits of recognizable stories and reinventing them within an original plot.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is an unconventional, rollicking mystery that will make you laugh out loud. The story seems more suitable for children ages 9-12, although parents could also read it aloud to younger children. I hope this talented author decides to write a sequel since the characters are so likeable, particularly Wally. A funny and absorbing children’s mystery is a rare gem.

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Shasha and Wally Watson Vs. The Faker
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gali · Post by **gali** » 13 Feb 2016, 14:12

Great review to cool book! I am glad you enjoyed it.

Post by **bookowlie** » 13 Feb 2016, 17:11

Thanks Gali! Adults would also enjoy this book since it's so funny and has many creative touches.

TedK · Post by **TedK** » 13 Feb 2016, 18:22

Thank you for this review!Wow! I really try to write books that kids or adults would enjoy, and I am gratified that the reviewer felt that. Thank you for highlighting so many of the characters, who are the stars of course! I had a lot of help writing the book, and I'm glad onlinebookclub is part of my writing journey.

Post by **bookowlie** » 13 Feb 2016, 20:45

You are most welcome.

Writing a review of a mystery can be a struggle. It's difficult to share the parts that made the book special without giving too much away.

As I mentioned in my review, you should really consider writing a sequel or even an entire series!

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 14 Feb 2016, 18:51

I love it! It sounds like a kids version of Monk. Congrats to the author on a neat book and a great rating!

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 14 Feb 2016, 20:01

This book sounds like so much fun! Great review.

TedK · Post by **TedK** » 14 Feb 2016, 21:06

"Kid version of Monk..." I guess it is a bit like that at times. Wally's quirks help them solve puzzles. His sister Shasha is the one to decipher what Wally sees and remembers. Thanks for that comment!

Post by **bookowlie** » 14 Feb 2016, 22:24

Anonanemone, I have never watched Monk, although I know about the general premise of the show. Now I want to watch it, assuming it's on Netflix or Amazon.

-- 14 Feb 2016, 23:25 --

Thanks Bluemel for the kind words. The book was a very enjoyable read.

CCtheBrave · Post by **CCtheBrave** » 15 Feb 2016, 00:02

I love the title of this book! I'm definitely adding this to my to-read shelf and hopefully next weekend I can read it to my niece. Your review is written very well, too!

ananya92 · Post by **ananya92** » 15 Feb 2016, 02:06

Great review! The book seems quite entertaining and fun. Congratulations to the author on a positive review!

Post by **bookowlie** » 15 Feb 2016, 11:09

Thanks CCtheBrave and Ananya92 for the positive feedback.

The book is hilarious, but it is also a great example of how everyone has their own special talents.

LivreAmour217 · Post by **LivreAmour217** » 15 Feb 2016, 16:00

Great review! This sounds like a charming book and I am going to add it to my reading list! Being mildly autistic and a little OCD, I love the fact that Wally has these quirks. He sounds like a very positive role model for children with similar characteristics.

Post by **bookowlie** » 15 Feb 2016, 18:06

Thanks LivreAmour! The book is an enjoyable read and Wally is such a likeable character.

Rachaelamb1 · Post by **Rachaelamb1** » 16 Feb 2016, 10:26

I love the sound of this book! I have to add it to my to-read list for when my daughter gets older. I think it's great that Wally is a quirky but realistic character. I'm sure children who feel "different" will be able to relate to him in a positive way.