Alvin Fernald, mayor for a day,

Alvin Fernald #4

by Clifford B. Hicks

An eleven-year-old boy wins the opportunity to be mayor for a day and discovers that the real mayor is a criminal.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Plays

140 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1970

About the author

Hicks was born in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1920. He graduated cum laude from Northwestern University, then served as a U.S. Marine during World War II, earning the Silver Star. In 1945, he joined the staff of Popular Mechanics magazine, and became a special projects editor in 1963. He wrote the magazine's Do-It-Yourself Materials Guide and edited the Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia.

In 1959, Hicks penned his first children's book, First Boy on the Moon, which was dubbed Best Juvenile Book of the Year by the Friends of American Writers. The next year, he wrote The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald, the first of a series of books about a boy who relies on his "Magnificent Brain" to solve problems. The books inspired a pair of two-part Disney television movies: The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton (1974), and The Whiz Kid and the Carnival Caper (1976).

Hicks wrote one non-fiction children's book, The World Above (1965), which discusses the Earth's atmosphere and the universe beyond. In 1971, he began the Peter Potts series, which follows the misadventures of a small town boy who often gets into trouble "by accident". Hicks also wrote a two-act play, Alvin Fernald, Mayor for a Day (1992), which was based on one of his Alvin Fernald books.

On September 29, 2010, Hicks died at his home in Brevard, North Carolina at the age of 90.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffor...

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alvin gets himself elected mayor of his school class and ends up being the Mayor of the city for a day as well.

I enjoyed these books as a kid and was delighted to find out that this one holds up as an adult re-read. Alvin and his friends are smartly written and believable. They have flaws, they make mistakes, but they band together to catch the Mayor when they realize he is corrupt. Never have two bags of mud been used to such great effect. I'm looking forward to re-reading more in this series.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in the ongoing adventures of Alvin Fernald in a similar vein of The Great Brain meets Brains Benton. He becomes Mayor for a day, which sounds great until they stumble across nefarious deeds being done, FBI involvement, action, adventure, crimes and cover-ups.

Really enjoyed this one (wish I had read it as a kid because I'm sure it would have been a favorite).

[Cyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as delightful as I remembered it from childhood. Alvin is the kind of boy I wanted to be--fun, smart, confident, and willing to stretch himself even when he's afraid.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun read aloud that keeps the attention of various ages. Clever kids work together to bring down the bad guy, who happens to be the mayor.

[Robert Weathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alvin Fernald is elected to be Mayor for a Day. He and his friends face the challenges of fulfilling his campaign promises and make some surprising discoveries. Excellent middle grade book.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a child.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tim read the Alvin Fernald books when he was a kid & wanted our kids to read them. Molly & I cracked up at the characters' names: Alvin Fernald, Speedy Glomitz, Worm Wormley & Peanuts Dunkle!