Have you ever had the feeling you were about to sneeze, and it just went away? Well, maybe, just maybe, it didn’t go away. You may have been visited by - The Sneeze Collector! When Summer accidentally spots a mysterious man that no one else can see in his school hall, he knows he can’t simply let it go. He has to investigate. This thrilling chase has him learning about crazy inventions, performing pigeons and terrifying tigers whilst dodging burdensome bullies, jumping janitors and a frizzy-haired scientist. Can he solve the mystery and maybe even end up saving a life?
Have you ever had the feeling you were about to sneeze, and it just went away? Well, maybe, just maybe, it didn’t go away. You may have been visited by - The Sneeze Collector! When Summer accidentally spots a mysterious man that no one else can see in his school hall, he knows he can’t simply let it go. He has to investigate. This thrilling chase has him learning about crazy inventions, performing pigeons and terrifying tigers whilst dodging burdensome bullies, jumping janitors and a frizzy-haired scientist. Can he solve the mystery and maybe even end up saving a life?
“Oh yes, I will!” said Summer. He wouldn’t let his friend doubt him; he knew he was the only one who could beat Ben Spoonfield in the bubblegum-blowing contest at school tomorrow. Ben was his biggest competition, not only because he was three years older but also because he was the school bully and constantly picked on Summer for having what he thought was a "girl’s name."
“I’ve been practising for months; watch,” he proceeded to blow a giant bubble right there and then.
“Woah. Mega!” said Tommy, Summer’s best friend. “It’s almost as big as my pillow!” It grew larger and larger until you couldn’t see Summer’s face anymore; all that was left was a vast pink sphere, now about the size of a beach ball. After proving this was a bubble that could last, he sucked it back into his mouth and stood there grinning proudly. They were in front of Seven Skies Sweet Emporium, their favourite hangout spot and purveyor of the finest bubblegum in town.
“Told ya,” Summer could tell Tommy was impressed; he only said "mega" when he was really blown away by something. Winning tomorrow was going to feel like he was winning for both of them. He kept chewing his gum and noticed how it now started to taste like victory.
The emporium started pulling down its shutters, which was a good indication it was time for them to be heading home.
“All right, I gotta shoot,” said Summer. He and Tommy lived pretty near to each other. Summer was on Apple Tree Lane, and Tommy was just across the field in the opposite direction on Strawberry Avenue. It always made them laugh; they said if they ever start a band one day, they’ll call themselves "The Fruit Salad." Tommy waved as he headed home. They were both super excited about the big day tomorrow!
As Summer approached his house, he rummaged his hand around the bottom of his school bag and fished out his key. Turning it in the front door, he stepped inside.
“Mum,” he called out softly. He could hear the sound of the television faintly coming from the front room. “You there, Mum?” he said, entering slowly.
“Hi, treacle,” she answered sleepily. She was sitting in a large beige sofa chair that seemed to completely engulf her. She stared at the television; a courtroom judge was giving her rage-filled verdict to a scamming boyfriend.
“Did you make them?” Summer asked.
“Make what?”
“The pancakes, it’s Thursday, you always make...” he paused. “Well, you used to make pancakes on a Thursday.”
“Oh,” she replied, still transfixed by the screen, “I’m sorry, Summer. I didn’t have the energy.”
Summer attempted to hide his disappointment, “Sure, Mum. No problem.” He was about to go to his room but then quickly spun back around. “Hey! Wanna see me blow a bubble? I’m gonna win tomorrow; I just know I am!” Summer hurriedly began unwrapping a fresh pack of bubblegum.
“Not now, sweetheart; I’m tired. Just let me finish my show.”
“But Mum.”
“I said not now, Summer!” she snapped at him, like she often did.
Summer begrudgingly went upstairs to his room; he climbed onto his bed and gazed up at the white ceiling. He thought it best to get in a little last-minute practice, so he took out that gum, threw it high into the air and caught it in his mouth with pinpoint precision. His mind relaxed as he began chewing. Before long, he was daydreaming about his impending triumph. The trophy goes to - Summer! The whole class picks him up and puts him onto their shoulders, carrying him around the school hall for a victory lap, happily cheering and chanting his name.
A large picture frame encasing a front-page news story leaned against the lamp by his bed. It read: Heroic Policeman loses his life defending the town of Littlehope.
“Goodnight, Dad,” he said as he stared at the photo of the smiling policeman, fresh out of police college. “Whatever case gets thrown at me, I’ll always complete the mission and do whatever it takes.”
He turned out the light and was soon asleep. His big day was fast approaching!
Finish the case, complete the mission. Do whatever it takes.
When young Summer recalls these words from his late father, a police officer killed in the line of duty, he has no idea that his life is about to be turned upside down in this entertaining and eminently enjoyable children’s fantasy by Dominic Smith. Along the way, Summer must find out: Why is a strange man collecting sneezes? How does he make himself invisible? Where does he get his amazing hot chocolate from? Summer has no ideashow to answer any of these questions. But he has an idea of how he might find out. After all, Summer is a pretty ingenious boy. He’s figured out bubblegum glasses, pepper-filled water pistols, and a flour trap. Now if Summer can just figure out who Funderbunk is and why he’s intent on collecting sneezes.
Yes, Summer is a young fella. A determined fella. Summer is one half of “The Fruit Salad.” It’s what Summer and his BFF Tommy call themselves because Summer lives on Apple Tree Lane and tommy lives on Strawberry avenue. The two friends are inseparable and mutually supportive. Especially when it comes to defeating school bully and all-around jerk Ben Spoonfield in a school bubblegum-blowing contest. When it comes down to Ben vs. Summer, a large man suddenly appears next to Tommy. The man has strange glow about him and carries a type of tube. As Tommy starts to sneeze, the mysterious man puts the tube right up Tommy’s nose and… Distracted, Summer’s gum slips out of his mouth. The man dashes away. Turns out no one saw the man expect Summer. Woah, mega!
Can Summer find a way to prove what he saw, broski? Summer tries to solve the mystery. He soon finds that bubble gum isn’t just for chewing as he joins the mysterious man, Funderbunk, on a wild chase that includes crazy inventions, performing pigeons and terrifying tigers whilst dodging burdensome bullies, jumping janitors and a frizzy-haired scientist. It’s not long before Summer is plunged into a desperate race against time to solve the mystery and save… oh, wait. You’ll have to read the book to find out more.
There’s also a hay fever convention (I’m not making this up). “Detective mode.” Bambidextrous. Voila! Miles (and I don’t mean distance). Holy guacamole. Two pathways. Susie the elephant. Rap. Correctamundo. Thunder and Lightning. Mumzy-wumzy. Friendship. Loyalty. Forgiveness.
Indeed, there’s more to this clever story than a mere stroll down fantasy lane. Moments of pathos sneak up on you and burst onto the page when least expected. A surprising amount of emotion tiptoes in and out of select pages. In fact, it turns out that Summer and Funder have something in common. Something that’s not apparent at first glance. So you might want to bring some tissue.
Purling with perspicacity, the prose is plucky and pert. Rimmed with wit and warmth, the story is supple and spirited. Characters are artfully drawn, especially Funderbunk. (Think Willy Wonka before Warner Bros. got ahold of him.) The pacing is lithe and limber. It will keep the target audience of children ages nine to fourteen years engaged from page one until the very end.
The door is left open for a sequel. Yes, please!