Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000

For my first Camper's Choice book for Camp Read-a-Lot, I selected Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 written & illustrated by Eric Wight. Possum Scout Frankie Piccolini is kind of like a little boy Walter Mitty. We can find him on the back cover in a variety of disguises: suited up and sporting a fedora, as a chef with a large decorated cake and in armor wielding a large sword. His proud motto is, "Reality is for grown-ups!"

In this title, Frankie has a bit of a dilemma: because of his daydreaming, he failed knot tying and does not have enough points to advance with the rest of his troop from Pygmy to Shrew and do new and dangerous scout things. But fear not, because Frankie has a chance to earn the points if he wins the legendary model car competition, the Pine Race 3000. His dad wants to help him, but Frankie knows that he can do it all on his own. He is ready to be inducted into the Hall of Awesomeness, and nothing will hold him back!

I enjoyed Frankie, his dream life, and this story of father & son bonding.  The black and white drawings of wide eyed Frankie have a retro quality, and cartoon panels let us share his fantasy life. Although if he does look a little like Speed Racer on the book's cover, he is completely his own boy.