Think Smart, Hazel Green!

Hazel Green #4

by Odo Hirsch

A funny, heart-warming, beautifully shaped story in which Hazel Green and her logical friend, the Yak, set out on another mission for justice, this time trying to find a way for Mr Volio the baker to stay when the new owner of his shop won t renew his lease.

Ohh, a Chocolate Dipper! Toffee, caramel, strawberry, cinnamon, chocolate . Hazel took a bit of the pastry, closed her eyes, and let the flavours fill her senses.

Suddenly she opened her eyes again. If Mr Volio was forced to leave, there would be no more Chocolate Dippers. No more Strawberry Combers, no more Caramel Crunches. No more anything.

And if Mr Volio left, well, there would be no more Mr Volio, and that would be the worst thing of all!


When Hazel Green s favourite baker, Mr Volio, is told that he has to leave his shop, it looks as if nothing can save him . until Hazel gets on the case! Even if it means matching wits with Mr Flite, the sinister lawyer, Hazel won t back down. But the law is the law. With the Yak, Marcus Bunn and the other Moodey kids, Hazel will have to be extra smart to save Mr Volio and the delicious pastries that he bakes.

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Odo Hirsch was born and grew up in Melbourne, where he trained to be a doctor. He now lives in London and writes excellent books that are published not only in Australia but also in the US, UK, Netherlands, Korea, Germany, and Italy.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/odo-hirsch

Reviews

[Infamous Sphere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Hazel Green story, and the one in which we find out that Mrs Gluck the florist's first name is Louisa. As a Louisa, I've noticed that nobody's called Louisa in books - nobody except tertiary Austen characters and old German great aunts, which I'm guessing is a category that Louisa Gluck falls into. However, Louisa Gluck is fucking awesome, constantly dispensing wise counsel and twisting excellently described floral arrangements and I love her. I love her even more after I've read more than one ineffectual woo-woo book about sad het damaged women expressing themselves through the language of flowers. Mrs Gluck doesn't try and cure your sadness with her selection of Billy Buttons, she's just a damned good florist who's widely read, empathetic and is perfectly happy to have serious discussions with two children in the back room of her shop while she works. Plus, in this book she makes two edible floral arrangements for animals, full of tiny pomegranates and carrots. If I end my life as Louisa Gluck, I'll be proud to do so.

[Kibble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a little less than "have courage hazel green." I was really excited to read in the blurb that Hazel Green would take up renter's rights. Instead I felt a little disappointed that the story went in a slightly different direction. I thought that a despicable landlord might have been a more interesting story than a jealous business competitor. There were still many funny moments and a sweet touch, but in general I found it had a little less brightness to it. There was a totally unnecessary scene which made fun of an unpleasant couple by mocking their bodies. I didn't think this was appropriate in a novel for children, and I would talk to a child reading the book about this scene. There were also several sections which repeated earlier books, they would be fine if it was your first encounter with Hazel Green.

[N · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything changes, you know. Eventually everything has the change. That's how the world is ... It's not always easy is it? Sometimes a good thing ends. But sooner or later another good thing will start. You never know when, or where. But it will.and you'll always have the memory of the good thing that disappeared.

The weakest in the series. The best was the second novel. Now that I've read the entire series, they don't seen quite cohesive. The first two are quite fun and focus heavily on Hazel's precociousness and adventures. Whilst the last two are more serious and definitely has quite a social / moral justice emphasis.

Like the other reviewer mentioned, the scene with the two greedy tenants was a little strange.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazel Green must be one of the most precocious children in the history of literature, which makes for some highly entertaining scenes and real laugh out loud moments. There are several themes in the Hazel Green books that make them special:
1) children can achieve wonderful things if they work their minds and use some initiative
2) adults are easily trapped by their own preconceived ideas
3) it takes all types to make a community, and we all have skills to contribute

[Christena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is the cover for this?????!!!!!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must have read this book when I was seven or eight, but I still vividly remember the scene in which Hazel tries a chocolate dipper for the first time.

I'm not sure why it's stuck in my memory so well, but it's a credit to the author.