hillaryvillagers

The Fall of Fergal

Philip Ardagh

Illustrations by David Roberts

Bizarre, offbeat and sad are just a few words that describe this narrative. The story

opens with young Fergal McNally falling from a fourteenth floor hotel window to his

death. What was Fergal doing in a hotel room and why was he leaning out the window?

One of Fergal's sisters, Le Fay, was a finalist in the Tap 'n' Type typing competition and

her four supportive siblings accompanied her. The scheme was to sneak the siblings into

Le Fay's single occupancy hotel room. The plan was a success and the McNally's were

able to enjoy such luxuries as having their own spot to sleep as well as running water.

While celebrating Le Fay's Tap 'n' Type win, there came a knock at the hotel door.

When the house detective announced himself, the McNally children panicked and Fergal

fell. Children will be entertained when Ardagh occasionally steps away from his

storytelling role and talks to the reader. For those who appreciate the author's

unique sense of humor and writing style, Ardagh plans to write two additional books in

this “Unlikely Exploits” series.

BIBLIO: 2005 (orig. 2002), Scholastic Inc, Ages 8 to 12, $5.99.

REVIEWER: Mary Jo Edwards

FORMAT: Middle Reader

ISBN: 0-439-73014-7

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