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Books in Chet Gecko series

  • From Russia with Lunch: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Hardcover (HMH Books for Young Readers, Jan. 1, 2009)
    Inventions, spells, and bullies—oh my!It all begins when Chet’s favorite teacher is fired, only to be replaced by the mechanical invention of Dr. Tanya Lightov—a mysterious Russian scientist.Suddenly, the school seems possessed by forces that are upsetting the natural order of things: Kindergartners are beating up sixth graders; teachers’ pets are talking back; and worst of all, Chet’s faithful partner and best friend, Natalie Attired, has abandoned him in his hour of need.Will Chet be able to restore his friendship with Natalie and bring Emerson Hicky back to normal? One thing’s for certain: The crazy, mixed-up mastermind behind this case will be the last creature anyone expects.
    R
  • This Gum for Hire: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Hardcover (Harcourt Children's Books, Sept. 1, 2002)
    Kidnapped! One by one, the members of Emerson Hicky's football team are disappearing. As far as Chet Gecko is concerned, this is a cause for celebration. Only trouble is that Chet's old nemesis, Herman the Gila Monster, is the number one suspect, and he wants Chet to clear his (not quite) good name. Chet and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, must solve the case fast, or Herman will make sure it's their last. But which is more dangerous--Herman . . . or P.E. class?
    Q
  • The Big Nap: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Hardcover (Harcourt Children's Books, Oct. 1, 2001)
    Is it just Chet, or is everyone acting just a little bit strange? One by one, the students at Emerson Hicky Elementary are becoming mindless goody-goodies. No one talks in class, no one complains about homework--heck, the line to clean the chalkboard erasers is out the door! Everyone is acting like . . . well, a zombie. Chet loves a good nap--but this is one he's got to avoid at all costs. Can he save the school? Or will Chet and Natalie be the next in line at the chalkboard?
    Q
  • The Mystery of Mr. Nice: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Hardcover (Harcourt Children's Books, Aug. 1, 2000)
    Most folks know him as the best lizard detective at Emerson Hicky Elementary, but it's not all knuckles and know-how with Chet Gecko. He's also got his artistic side. If it wasn't for his art, he might never have been sent to Principal Zero's office, where he stumbled onto the mystery of Mr. Nice. Because whatever you can say about Principal Zero, one thing is certain: He is not nice. Until now. Chet knows something is wrong with this picture, and he's just the gecko to solve this mystery. After all, who do you think put the art in smart aleck?
    Q
  • Dial M for Mongoose: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Hardcover (Harcourt Children's Books, Oct. 5, 2009)
    The pun-slinging, crime-solving Chet Gecko is at it again in this new mystery of fire and stink!
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  • Farewell, My Lunchbag: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Hardcover (Harcourt Children's Books, April 1, 2001)
    Danger may be Chet Gecko's business, but dessert is his delight. . . . Chet Gecko's hunger for mystery is matched only by his appetite for cockroach casserole, mosquito marshmallow surprise, and stinkbug pie. So when the cafeteria needs help nabbing a food thief, Chet digs into the case with a passion he usually reserves only for dessert. But this time Chet may have bitten off more than even he can chew. Someone has framed him, and now everyone at Emerson Hicky--even his trusted partner, Natalie Attired--thinks the food thief is none other than Chet!
    Q
  • This Gum for Hire: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Paperback (Sandpiper, April 1, 2003)
    Kidnapped! One by one, the members of Emerson Hicky's football team are disappearing. As far as Chet Gecko is concerned, this is a cause for celebration. Only trouble is that Chet's old nemesis, Herman the Gila Monster, is the number one suspect, and he wants Chet to clear his (not quite) good name. Chet and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, must solve the case fast, or Herman will make sure it's their last. But which is more dangerous--Herman . . . or P.E. class?
    Q
  • Farewell, My Lunchbag: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Paperback (Sandpiper, April 1, 2002)
    Danger may be Chet Gecko's business, but dessert is his delight. . . . Chet Gecko's hunger for mystery is matched only by his appetite for cockroach casserole, mosquito marshmallow surprise, and stinkbug pie. So when the cafeteria needs help nabbing a food thief, Chet digs into the case with a passion he usually reserves only for dessert. But this time Chet may have bitten off more than even he can chew. Someone has framed him, and now everyone at Emerson Hicky--even his trusted partner, Natalie Attired--thinks the food thief is none other than Chet!
    Q
  • Trouble Is My Beeswax: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Paperback (Sandpiper, April 1, 2004)
    In these two wisecracking, sidesplitting mysteries from Chet Gecko's tattered casebook, the fourth-grade detective and his punning mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, keep the peace at Emerson Hicky Elementary. In the first, the two sleuths blow the lid off a cheating ring in Mr. Ratnose's classroom, and in the second, they track down the winning ticket for the biggest, chocolatiest, most gut-busting dessert ever, the Malted Falcon. Danger has never been so delicious!
    Q
  • From Russia with Lunch: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Paperback (Harcourt Children's Books, Jan. 1, 2009)
    Inventions, spells, and bullies—oh my!It all begins when Chet’s favorite teacher is fired, only to be replaced by the mechanical invention of Dr. Tanya Lightov—a mysterious Russian scientist.Suddenly, the school seems possessed by forces that are upsetting the natural order of things: Kindergartners are beating up sixth graders; teachers’ pets are talking back; and worst of all, Chet’s faithful partner and best friend, Natalie Attired, has abandoned him in his hour of need.Will Chet be able to restore his friendship with Natalie and bring Emerson Hicky back to normal? One thing’s for certain: The crazy, mixed-up mastermind behind this case will be the last creature anyone expects.
    R
  • Dial M for Mongoose: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Paperback (Sandpiper, Dec. 6, 2010)
    Chet Gecko’s investigations often show him the seamy underbelly of school life, but this case throws him for a loop. A deadly stink bomb is unleashed, a school building falls to rubble, money goes missing from the principal’s office, and that’s just a start. Chet’s endurance for trouble is tested, but so is his loyalty: Someone is trying to get his mongoose janitor pal Maureen DeBree fired. A true-blue P.I. doesn’t take that kind of monkey business lying down. Standing up, maybe.And stand up he will—to some very shifty school bullies. Chet keeps digging for the truth like a mole after an earthworm sandwich. Oh, foolish detective.
    R
  • Hiss Me Deadly: A Chet Gecko Mystery

    Bruce Hale

    Library Binding
    A crime has been committed that strikes at the heart of Chet's very own family. Some slippery sneak has stolen his mother's beloved pearls, leaving Chet angrier than a nest of hornets on eviction day. When additional items go missing, Principal Zero turns up the heat by hiring Chet to flush out the thief. Will our gecko hero deliver the goods before it's too late? He'd better. Because this time, it's personal.This thirteenth entry in Chet and Natalie's tattered casebook is chock-full of the hilarious characters, wacky one-liners, and fast-paced mystery that have made this series a favorite among middle grade readers.
    R