Melonhead and the Undercover Operation

Melonhead #3

by Katy Kelly, Gillian Johnson

Melonhead here—with more rules?! I already have the Remind-O-Rama list from my mom, which reminds me what I shouldn't do. Now my dad has created the Melon Family Guidelines for Life to remind me what I should do. And even though all these rules are so simple even a worm could follow them, I already have too much to think about. As Junior Special Agents with the FBI, my pal Sam and I have taken a pledge—it's our duty to help apprehend a fugitive from justice if we spot one. And believe it or not, we've spotted one not far from where we live! The Chameleon may think she's crafty, but we can see right through her wigs, plastic noses, and putty chins. We're undercover and on the case, doing surveillance and gathering evidence. But what you see isn't always what you get!


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Humor, Family, Espionage, Childrens

256 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Melonhead. I just can't help it. He is a fabulous character, and his exploits are hilarious. The adults in his life are good sports, too, and seem to understand that Melonhead is trying to do his best. (Most of them also seem to get a kick out of him, particularly the FBI agents, Madam & Pop, and Mrs. Wilkins.)

I loved the entire chapter where the boys come clean to Mrs. McBee. She has several of my favorite lines in the book.
I particularly loved this one: "What a revolting combination," she said. "You didn't ask yourselves why we would put soup in a cake?"
This one was also pretty fabulous: "You ate after a squirrel? Mrs. McBee said. "Oh, I did not need to know that." Understated and oh, so funny.

Melonhead's and Sam's exploits are so funny, and I can't wait to read more. This is a fabulous series, and I would highly recommend it for both individual reading and for read-alouds. When my nephew is a bit older, I will definitely be getting him the Melonhead books.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Melon, aka Melonhead, & his friends young & old in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. are back for some more wild adventures. Melonhead is thrilled to be named a Junior Special Agent of the FBI, & his training really pays off when he discovers that a neighborhood woman is probably one of the nation's Ten Most Wanted...or is she? These kids are absolutely true to type in a way that will make kids & adults laugh out loud.

[Erica Perl · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Adam "Melonhead" Melon in our house to begin with, and with each book we love him more. What's not to love about a boy who can't stay out of trouble for five minutes, yet who insists on pursuing a law-and-order career with the FBI? The undercover/disguise plot is perfect for middle-graders: interesting, believable, and -- above all -- funny. Classic Melonhead.

[Joenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Adam "Melonhead" Melon and his fellow Junior Special Agent, Sam, investigate a fellow resident of Washington D.C.'s Capitol Hill neighborhood, believing that she is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too similar to the other books, Nate was bored of them by this one. Not great writing. Cute characters.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Melonhead. He makes me laugh. When I am reading I know things aren't going to work out - (I thought, "Oh, please make the deliveries first. Just do it and then go watch. Oh, you really have to." Knowing, of course, that he and Sam would not do that.") - and I can totally understand the reason for the choices they make. Melonhead is all about doing and working really hard to keep out of trouble so his mom doesn't have to worry about him. His dad travels often an in Melonhead and the Undercover Operation he gives Adam a list called The Melon Family Guidelines for Life that he hopes will help Adam and his mom stay calm. Its a list of 9 actions to consider and take like 2. plan ahead or 4. when in doubt, ask an adult or 8. remember the ways of ladies. These G's for L replace the Remind -o-rama with do's rather than don'ts - and they sort of smooth things out. Melonhead works very hard to follow them but that can be difficult when you take being a Junior Special Agent for the FBI seriously and you feel certain that the newly posted person on the 10 Most Wanted Criminals in the country lives in your neighborhood.

The characters are terrific - even if they only make a cameo appearance in this book. The actions are laugh out loud, but not outrageous. I don't know which I like best: the human periscopes or the old lady disguises. I like how Adam and Sam have friend that are girls like Jonique and Lucy Rose and friends that are old like Pops and Madam and Mrs. Wilkins. And there is a serious side to. I am glad there are four Melonhead books so far, along with three Lucy Rose books because these are great characters to have around.

[Jnase1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Lucy Rose series, but I absolutely adore the Melonhead series! Perhaps it is because I have a son about Melonhead's age, but I find his adventures hilarious and very believable. I can think of a several younger patrons who read on a higher reading level who would enjoy reading about the hi-jinks of Melonhead and his best bud, Sam. Can't wait to read more!

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher (7yo) read.