School Library Journal (Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

Gr 2-4 Fourth-grader Danny and his eccentric friend Calvin have a mystery to solve. Mrs. Cakel, their terrifying and dictatorial teacher, has been replaced by a clone who allows them to slouch and chew gum. Unheard of! Confused by such an abrupt change in behavior, the two decide to snoop around and get some answers. In the midst of their investigation, both boys experience abrupt changes in their lives. Danny's father loses his job, while Calvin's mother, who is just as peculiar and flighty as her son, lands a new job making doughnuts. Despite their own familial issues, the two boys discover the key to Mrs. Cakel's personality shift and set out to return things to normal. The story has likable characters and a well-paced plot. It is filled with Danny's doodles, which will appeal to some readers and make a first chapter book less intimidating. While an easy read, Adler deftly incorporates deeper issues, such as Mrs. Cakel's solitary life and Calvin's father abandonment of his family. Hand this one to kids who've graduated from Marjorie Weinman Sharmat's "Nate the Great" series (Random) but aren't quite ready for a lengthier, weightier read. Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Danny and best friend Calvin sleuth to find their super-strict fourth-grade teacher's missing dog and return Mrs. Cakel to her usual self. Good-humored narrator Danny uncovers clues, explains Calvin's odd behaviors, and faces his own dad's temporary job loss with equal insight. Danny's gently comedic doodles further the light tone and provide frequent resting points for readers transitioning to longer chapter books.

ALA Booklist

Jelly beans give way to jelly donuts as the sticky snack of choice in a second episode featuring inveterate doodler Danny and his attention-challenged classmate Calvin Waffle. Puzzled by a personality change in their fourth-grade teacher o has suddenly gone from being fiercely strict to sad and distracted e lads set out to find the cause. Playing Calvin's sometimes-scary recklessness off against Danny's methodical, systematic gathering of clues, Adler concocts a credible investigation and a happy resolution. Over and above that, though, the book artfully portrays a dynamic friendship between seeming opposites that points to ways of making better choices without losing the fun. Meanwhile, in another emotionally nuanced set of contrasts, Danny's dad goes through a (short) spell of unemployment while Calvin's manic single mom lands a gig filling donuts at a local bakery and soon needs help in "researching" new filling flavors. It all adds up to a chapter book that is light of tone but rich in themes and character interactions. Danny's doodled line drawings in the margins add occasional notes of humor.