To Kick a Corpse: The Qwikpick Papers

The Qwikpick Papers #3

by Tom Angleberger

This hilarious, highly original series, which so astutely captures the odd preoccupations of middle schoolers, will appeal to the many fans of the Origami Yoda series and such gross-out classics as How to Eat Fried Worms and Freckle Juice . Lyle Hertzog and his friends Marilla and Dave are the Qwikpick Adventure Society, three kids who seek out big adventures in their seemingly quiet hometown of Crickenburg. Tour a sewage plant? They’ve done it. Break into an abandoned research facility to spot a rat with a human face? Check. But their third exploit just might be their most daring yet. Local legend has it that a slave master was buried standing up in the plantation’s family tomb. Why? So that he could continue overseeing his slaves—even in death! When the Qwikpickers hear about this, they decide it’s high time to administer some 200-year-overdue justice and knock him down. Mission Kick a Corpse is on.

Genres: Middle Grade, Humor

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2016

About the author

Tom Angleberger artist-turned-writer. He is a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia, and began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. He lives in Christianburg, Virginia.

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book blurp:

This hilarious, highly original series, which so astutely captures the odd preoccupations of middle schoolers, will appeal to the many fans of the Origami Yoda series and such gross-out classics as How to Eat Fried Worms and Freckle Juice . Lyle Hertzog and his friends Marilla and Dave are the Qwikpick Adventure Society, three kids who seek out big adventures in their seemingly quiet hometown of Crickenburg. Tour a sewage plant? They’ve done it. Break into an abandoned research facility to spot a rat with a human face? Check. But their third exploit just might be their most daring yet. Local legend has it that a slave master was buried standing up in the plantation’s family tomb. Why? So that he could continue overseeing his slaves—even in death! When the Qwikpickers hear about this, they decide it’s high time to administer some 200-year-overdue justice and knock him down. Mission Kick a Corpse is on.

I am no longer sure if middle school kids are like this or not. I think it might reek of innocence that kids no longer have... they can't run free in the neighborhoods, walk down a busy road, or get off alone from their parents.

All that said, I enjoyed this short read. I liked that Lyle finally got his kiss.

3 stars

Happy Reading!

[Susan Van Metre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't normally weigh in on a book that I edited as I am so obviously not at all objective about it, but I love this book and it's the third in a series, so unlikely to get a lot of review attention. It is one of the most authentic--and funny--portrayals of the sort of mischief--and justice!--that kids get up to when they have nothing to do. And it says something very honest and necessary about the insidious nostalgia my fellow Southerners can have about the Old South. I think it is really tricky to tackle such a thorny topic in the context of a funny adventure story, yet Tom Angleberger manages. I hope folks will dip into this book, even if they haven't read the previous ones. It's special.

[John Nondorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure for The Quickpick Adventure Society. This one is motivated by something other than pure boredom. Some nice character development from previous titles in this series. Angleberger continues his deft portrayal of middle school outsiders. Very fun and quick read.

[Jane]

Boy read this. I guess he liked it because he asked for others in the series.

[Shaun M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Angleberger's characters in the QwikPick papers are so vibrantly alive and relatable. Each of the books has been incredibly funny, but this final volume adds a bit of poignancy and social awareness to go along with the incredible adventure that the main characters go on. It's to Angleberger's credit that all three of our main characters feel like real kids you could have known and hung out with. I'll be re-reading these books again in the future, but this was the perfect way to wrap up the series.

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book on my own, just because I had done the other two with my son, and the third one was sitting on our shelf. It was funny and silliness and fun, and a fast easy read. I think I should have waited to read it with my son, because I probably would have enjoyed the humour a lot more if we had been sharing it. A great book for kids and young teenagers.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I read this together. I thought it was a great children's book. I appreciated the justice Marilla doled out and I like that the book didn't shy away from tackling a topic not often seen in children's reading. The Rat with the Human Face is the only one in this series we have not yet read and we are looking forward to it!

[Dale Cicada · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting. I kept reading it until the end. It's a nice short read.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the title, the characters never really kick anybody.