Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes and the Good Luck Circle

By Frank McKinney

Book Overview

Bestselling author Frank McKinney boldly enters young reader fiction in this deeply imaginative fantasy sure to race and gladden the hearts of all readers.
The story was inspired by the more than one thousand walks to school the author has shared with his daughter and her friends in real life. Come along with them into the imaginative world of Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes, and the Good Luck Circle

Thirteen-year-old Ppeekk (pronounced 'Peekie') finds a very small, very flat, very dead fish. When he comes to life in her hand, he has an amazing story to tell.
In the brilliant underwater world called High Voltage, manatees talk, starfish sing, and practical-joking clownfish encourage children to launch their lunchboxes off the bridge. Now the fiendish Megalodon, a fifty-foot prehistoric shark, has laid siege to High Voltage and dethroned King Frederick the Ninth (whom Ppeekk calls "Dead Fred"). The monster reigns amphibiously under the old drawbridge with his army of crabs and blood-red remora fish, whose suckers drain victims' joy and imagination.
Ppeekk hides Dead Fred in the only safe place she can think of: the usher's coat room at church. As she grows to know Fred, she learns to trust and love him. Unlike her parents, he listens to her and counsels her. Dead Fred trusts Ppeekk, too. In fact, he has a big favor to ask. Can she help him save High Voltage from the evil Megalodon?
Ppeekk and her friends use everything they've got to lure the evil beast to his demise--exploding coconut bombs, strangler fig lassos, even themselves as human bait--to vanquish Megalodon and his rogue army. In the climactic scene, they fight the battle of their lives in a Category-5 hurricane . . . Will they be able to save Dead Fred and High Voltage? Read Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes, and the Good Luck Circle to find out

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0757313825
• ISBN13: 9780757313820
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Health Communications
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 9 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 8

Customer Reviews

review for Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes and the Good Luck Circle

Frank McKinney is an excellent speaker and author. I met him in person at a presentation in Rocky Hill CT. His expertise and "life balance" make his book very informative. Thumbs up for what Frank does for charity as well!

when you have Frank, dead fred, flying lunchboxes and the good luck circle, you do not need Harry Po

Frank is able to tug at the heart strings of both the young and the old with a God given story telling gift...This helps us all pursue and expand our love for our children....and for charity projects like the Caring House that Frank works so hard for. Cant wait for Part 2...i am sure your daughter is egging you on as well :) Thanks for bringing out the kid in all of us .... excellent and fun read !

"Dead Fred's" a hit

I had a wonderful time reading this along with my 10yr old Johanna. We made it even more fun by making different voices to go along with the characters. Johanna didn't want to stop reading and was dissapointed to have to wait until the next night to continue. To hear her yell with joy when Fred came back to life was really a joy to me and I think it tells a story about life in general for children (and adults) about the challenges we all face in everyday life. From interacting with each other in the family, to making new freinds, overcoming adversity, triumphs and the fact that there are always new challenges (megalodons) down the road. Outside of that, we just had a great time reading a very enjoyable story with each other. Randy and Johanna Grant

Chloe's Bedtime Story

I have enjoyed reading this book with my youngest daughter, Chloe, who is 7 years old. Chloe can relate to Ppeekk's exciting adventures with many surprises. The story also brings me back to my boyhood dreams of exploring the under water world. Jon Wilcox

Spellbound!

The kids and I finished reading "Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes, and the Good Luck Circle" and were spellbound! What an amazing adventure to read through! The children would love to meet you, Ppeekk, Mini Romie, and Quatro and pepper you with questions!! We got so caught up in the story that we missed finding "Burst This", but we're going back to find it! I have to tell you that reading out loud usually puts this mom to sleep, but "Dead Fred" had me losing track of how many chapters we had covered! We homeschool, and canceled other subjects just to fit in "Dead Fred". Can't wait for the movie!! It has also inspired me, as a mom, to take time to imagine with my children and make memories. Thank you! Many Blessings, Jody Scott and my captive audience for "Dead Fred" (Charity (12), Jonathan (11) and Melody (7) ) P.S. I found that my high schoolers would hang out by us working when we read your book.... bet they were listening too!