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kowalskichan's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
debchan's review
4.0
great ending to an amazing trilogy!
okay, but the ending was surprisingly realistic.
anyway, guess who's back??? that's right. staples.
and mac has a whole lot of other problems to deal with, as well. and as usual, he pulls together a crazy plan that just might work...
okay, but the ending was surprisingly realistic.
Spoiler
mac get expelled, went to a camp, came back ready and kicking for high schoolanyway, guess who's back??? that's right. staples.
and mac has a whole lot of other problems to deal with, as well. and as usual, he pulls together a crazy plan that just might work...
sad_shh's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
suzannedix's review
3.0
Book three picks up as the founders of the school’s criminal syndicate, Mac and Vince, are entering 7th grade and enjoying retirement (albeit a forced one). Both boys have come to realize that the evil of their ways, though lucrative, was immensely time-consuming and stressful. Mere days into the new shcool year go by before they find themselves embroiled in new and nefarious events: co-opting their defunct business to a new kid at school, dealing with their old nemesis Staples and looking into competition from a 3rd grade crime boss at the local elementary school. Mac and Vince, despite facing expulsion, dive back into their old way in an effort to save their school from underhanded hijinx at the hands of Kinko. The same cast of characters from Part I and Part II find a new role in this series.
While the plot was amusing and certainly a go to pick for 6th & 7th grade boys, the plot was so convoluted that it would be difficult for a reader to jump into this storyline. The characters were interesting and you do genuinely like Mac and Vince. Much like Joey Pigza in its appeal to reluctant readers, this series also walks a fine line between humor and moral appropriateness. That said, this seems to be a winning series in terms of large appeal to the middle school student.
Recommended for optional purchase.
While the plot was amusing and certainly a go to pick for 6th & 7th grade boys, the plot was so convoluted that it would be difficult for a reader to jump into this storyline. The characters were interesting and you do genuinely like Mac and Vince. Much like Joey Pigza in its appeal to reluctant readers, this series also walks a fine line between humor and moral appropriateness. That said, this seems to be a winning series in terms of large appeal to the middle school student.
Recommended for optional purchase.
theartolater's review
4.0
The Fourth Stall series comes to a conclusion by getting back to its roots somewhat. At the very least, it's better than Godfather III, right?
Regardless, our two main characters are out of the schoolyard crime business, and not a moment too soon given the short leash they're on. Unfortunately for them, there's a new kid in town who's trying to cut into their old business, and it's not going to go well for them unless they help their former bully nemesis and put a stop to it once and for all.
While most series titles tend to go a little stale, the good news is that this entry in the Stall series basically stays on track. Focusing more on what made the first book so good definitely helps, and it's still laugh-out-loud funny in all the right places. Plus, as a good book for boys, it's easier to look past its occasional faults.
I'm glad this is a series I got going on. I won the first book on Goodreads a few years ago, and I'm glad that it's kept up. I'm looking forward to what Rylander does next.
Regardless, our two main characters are out of the schoolyard crime business, and not a moment too soon given the short leash they're on. Unfortunately for them, there's a new kid in town who's trying to cut into their old business, and it's not going to go well for them unless they help their former bully nemesis and put a stop to it once and for all.
While most series titles tend to go a little stale, the good news is that this entry in the Stall series basically stays on track. Focusing more on what made the first book so good definitely helps, and it's still laugh-out-loud funny in all the right places. Plus, as a good book for boys, it's easier to look past its occasional faults.
I'm glad this is a series I got going on. I won the first book on Goodreads a few years ago, and I'm glad that it's kept up. I'm looking forward to what Rylander does next.
kit_e's review
5.0
First let me say that I currently am having a book three problem. It feels like all my favorite trilogies are all coming to a close at the same time. It's draining. I want to know how they end, but I'm not ready for them to be over! So like a bad blogger I've been avoiding them (it's a coping mechanism, okay?!) All these book threes are stacked up in a nice neat pile, just waiting for me to get up the nerve to open them up. The Fourth Stall sat there for a little while, and of course, when I finally grabbed it and opened that first page, I was sucked right in.
Second. I missed these characters. Like really missed them! With everything else I read it's sometimes hard to remember how fun and easy reading can be. This book, this whole series is just fun to read. I read it and I nod along and giggle and wink back when the story winks- I love that Rylander has his characters acknowledge the Godfather connections, the silliness that is Scarface and the undying love that fans have for the Cubs.
*** Note- There will be spoilers below. If you haven't read this book yet. Stop reading now. Just know that this is a series you need to go get ***
When the books start we find Mac and Vince trying to live the clean life and stay out of cross hairs. They've shut down their business and are enjoying being retired. We all know you can't just leave the life. Once you are in, you are in and we see Mac and Vince being approached on several fronts to take up the reins and get back to business. Like usually happens, its the opportunity to make a quick buck without doing any work that ultimately pulls them back in. It was an offer they couldn't refuse that sucked them back under.
From there the book takes some really interesting twists and turns. We see the return of Staples, someone else who (supposedly) is trying to clean up their act. We meet some new faces, including a kid who makes them that very lucrative offer and a rival at a different school who may just ruin them all completely.
This was me as I read the book. And not just in my head. I said these things out loud, much to the confusion of the people around me and my dog, who was more then once jolted awake by my comments.
"Nice! Mac and Vince are back in action!"
"hmmm... Staples? The good guy? Not sure about this..."
"Jimmy refers to himself as Jimmy. Yeah- this isn't going to end well."
"NO WAY! That's Staples' sister!!" (
"Wait! What? Dude... they should NOT have trusted Staples"
"Kitten!!!!"
"Snakes!"
I'm sure there were many, many more comments that came out of my mouth, but the point is that if this is a feel good read. You can't help but get into it, to root for the good guys, to cheer for the good guy adjacent characters and really just enjoy the ride. I'm bummed that it's over. Still, now that I'm sitting in the drivers seat at the Middle School library I get to watch my students discover these books and enjoy them as much as I do, which is just as good!
mrskatiefitz's review
4.0
Mac and Vince have had a successful business since kindergarten, but after getting busted by the school principal last year, they are finished with organized crime. Retired. Out of the game. In fact, they have handed over their business to newcomer Jimmy Two-Tone, who takes care of all the business operations and gives the founders a mere cut of his profits. The only problem is, Staples is back and he needs help getting custody of his little sister, and there is a criminal mastermind at nearby Thief Valley Elementary School threatening to destroy Mac and Vince’s school. Mac knows they can’t get caught by the Suits again, or they’ll be expelled for sure, but he also knows if he doesn’t solve these last two problems, the destruction of his school will be his fault, and he won’t be the only one going down.
This conclusion to the Fourth Stall series is a strongly plot-driven story with lots of suspense and surprises. Though Mac and Vince remain the same lovable characters who root for the Cubs and crack up over the crazy things Vince’s senile grandmother says, it is what happens to them rather than the characters themselves that keep the pages turning this time around. Rylander builds suspense by raising more and more questions. Can Staples really be trusted? Who is this crime boss at the other elementary school? Is Jimmy Two-Tone treating Mac’s former clients fairly? At every moment, I was questioning the motives of one character or another and looking for the connections that would lead me to the truth. There isn’t a lot of flowery, descriptive prose in this book, but it’s well written in a different way. The story is so well plotted, I was caught by surprise every time a new twist unsurfaced.
I also loved the allusions to the movie Rookie of the Year and to Mr. Belding from Saved the Bell.
Mr. Belding is basically the prototype my imagination uses for any fictitious principal, so Mac’s suspicion that all principals get together to cast spells and sacrifice goats to him made me laugh out loud. I’m not sure the target audience is old enough to get these references, but I am roughly the same age as the author (it looks like he was born in 1983?) and these little bits of 90s nostalgia made me smile.
This third book is not quite as strong as the first two, but fans of the series will definitely want to know how it all turns out. Sticklers for realism will be pleased that not all bad behavior goes unpunished, and I think most readers will be satisfied with the ending, even if they will probably wish, as I do, that there were going to be more Fourth Stall stories.
This conclusion to the Fourth Stall series is a strongly plot-driven story with lots of suspense and surprises. Though Mac and Vince remain the same lovable characters who root for the Cubs and crack up over the crazy things Vince’s senile grandmother says, it is what happens to them rather than the characters themselves that keep the pages turning this time around. Rylander builds suspense by raising more and more questions. Can Staples really be trusted? Who is this crime boss at the other elementary school? Is Jimmy Two-Tone treating Mac’s former clients fairly? At every moment, I was questioning the motives of one character or another and looking for the connections that would lead me to the truth. There isn’t a lot of flowery, descriptive prose in this book, but it’s well written in a different way. The story is so well plotted, I was caught by surprise every time a new twist unsurfaced.
I also loved the allusions to the movie Rookie of the Year and to Mr. Belding from Saved the Bell.
Mr. Belding is basically the prototype my imagination uses for any fictitious principal, so Mac’s suspicion that all principals get together to cast spells and sacrifice goats to him made me laugh out loud. I’m not sure the target audience is old enough to get these references, but I am roughly the same age as the author (it looks like he was born in 1983?) and these little bits of 90s nostalgia made me smile.
This third book is not quite as strong as the first two, but fans of the series will definitely want to know how it all turns out. Sticklers for realism will be pleased that not all bad behavior goes unpunished, and I think most readers will be satisfied with the ending, even if they will probably wish, as I do, that there were going to be more Fourth Stall stories.
alicantspell's review
funny
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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