Give My Regrets to Broadway

by Hale, Bruce

• ISBN13: 9780152167004
• ISBN10: 0152167005
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books

Summary

It's no mystery: Chet Gecko can't sing. He can't dance. He can't act. Heck, he can't even actnormal. So why would he take the lead in Mr. Ratnose's musical version of Shakespeare'sOmlet, Prince of Denver? A new case, naturally. The original leading man has disappeared, and something smells rotten in the realm of Ratnose. Did the third-act lip-lock with Shirley Chameleon scare him away? Or is foul play afoot? One thing's for certain: This mystery won't be over until the fat gecko--er, lady--sings.

Author Biography

BRUCE HALE is the author of five picture books as well as the Chet Gecko mysteries. A popular speaker, teacher, and storyteller for children and adults, he lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Excerpts

Strike up the BlandIt was the first rehearsal for our play, and I wished I was at the dentist. Or staked to an anthill with red fire ants crawling up my nose. Or even on the losing end of a parent-teacher conference.Anywhere but the auditorium.Still, there I was-the last one into the building where the entire fourth grade waited. Given the choice, I'd rather pull the whiskers off a werewolf than perform in a dorky play like Omlet, Prince of Denver. But who had a choice?The auditorium (or cafetorium, as the principal calls it) buzzed like a nest of baby rattlesnakes on Christmas morning. My teacher, Mr. Ratnose, huddled onstage with the other teachers. My fellow students fidgeted on the rows of wooden benches, jabbering amongst themselves.Something was up.I scanned the crowd. My partner and friend, Natalie Attired, had saved me a spot in the second-to-last row. Good ol' Natalie.With a little luck, I could slip into place before Mr. Ratnose noticed my tardiness. Bending low, I hurried toward my seat. Just a few more steps...I didn't see the foot in my path, but I sure felt it.Ba-dump!"Whoa!" I stumbled and staggered like a Rottweiler on Rollerblades.Ka-flump! I sprawled in the aisle, flat on my face.The room fell silent with worry."Haw-haw-haw!" burst from a hundred throats.Or maybe they were just catching their breath.I got up and brushed myself off, scowling at the guilty foot's owner-a chubby chipmunk. He smiled back as sweetly as a big brother with a carload of water balloons.And then my bad luck multiplied.Mr. Ratnose stepped to the edge of the stage. "Chet Gecko," he said, "even though you're tardy, I'm giving you an honor that many students dream of.""You're letting me out of this dumb play?" I asked.The kids giggled again. Mr. Ratnose glared at them, pricklier than a hedgehog's hug."Wrong," he huffed. "Our lead actor, Scott Freeh, has disappeared."My ears perked up. (As much as two holes in your head can perk.) A missing persons case?I trotted up the aisle. "You want me to find him, right?""Wrong again," said my teacher. "I'd like you to take on Scott's role.""Me?""You.""Thanks, but no thanks. I'm a private eye, not a hambone."Mr. Ratnose crossed his arms. "Be that as it may. You will play the part, or you will write a fifty-four-page report on French classical theater."He sure knew how to put the screws to a guy. The only thing I like less than looking foolish onstage is writing fifty-four-page reports (although math class and lima-bean pie are right up there).I sighed. "Okay, I'll do it. Out of curiosity, what's the part?"His black eyes sparkled, and a smile tweaked his ratty lips. "The lead: Omlet, Prince of Denver. You've got a dramatic duet with a ghost...""Swell," I said."A swashbuckling sword fight...""Not bad.""And a romantic song with Azalea that ends in a kiss.""That's-Wait a minute! A kiss!?"Mr. Ratnose nodded. "Yes, you fourth graders should be mature enough

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Excerpted from Give My Regrets to Broadway by Bruce Hale
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.