Second Fiddle

Sizzle and Splat Sleuths #2

by Ronald Kidd

Two members of the Pirelli Youth Orchestra find their lives in danger when they try to find the practical joker whose string of pranks includes destroying a $250,000 violin

Genres: Young Adult, Childrens

Paperback

First published June 30, 1988

About the author

Ronald Kidd is the author of thirteen novels for young readers, including the highly acclaimed “Night on Fire” and “Monkey Town: The Summer of the Scopes Trial.” His novels of adventure, comedy, mystery, and American history have received the Children's Choice Award, an Edgar Award nomination, and honors from the American Library Association, the International Reading Association, the Library of Congress, and the New York Public Library. He is a two-time O'Neill playwright who lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was totally worth the 50¢ I paid for it. It's a teen mystery set in a youth orchestra with teen trumpet and tuba players Sizzle and Splat as investigators. Someone is playing practical jokes, but then a Stradivarius ends up in ashes. How could I pass it up?

The extra star is for the bad composer puns, the silly detective talk, and most of all, the great musician stereotypes. The flutists are vain; the violinists are rich, uppity, and jealous; the brass players are goof-offs . . . you get the idea.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my hands-down favorite books of elementary school, and one that got a lot of thrilled rereads in the late '80s and early '90s. Now, probably at least 20 years since my last read, other Goodreads reviews have made me realize that it likely influenced my undergrad thesis to a bizarre degree! I'd better find it again...

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from the time I picked up a musical instrument in 4th grade. The puns are juvenile, but still funny years later.

[Bob · Rating 1 out of 5]

B O R I N G

[Kate Racculia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, seriously formative.