Children's Books Too Cool for School

I loved the back cover of this book, that had a can label with nutrition information on it. I loved the front cover of this book, with its bright colors.

I loved the beginning of this book, wherein we meet Fergal. Fergal, whom adults think must be clever because he collects cans.

Yes, cans.

Cans without labels, to be exact. He found his first one in the bargain bin, and it was so cheap, since one really couldn't know what was in the can. Fergal liked the idea of the promise the cans held, and had soon amassed a collection of fifty. That's when his mother told him he must open one before he could purchase anymore.

And that's how he found the finger in the can.

It was while snatching up a new can that made an interesting rattle that he discovered Charlotte, another can collector! It turns out Charlotte had found a few interesting things in cans as well, and now they had a mystery to solve.

I loved the gruesome humor in this book, I loved Charlotte, and I loved the mystery.

I did not love the end, which felt a little weird and rushed, although it was the most natural and obvious conclusion. I did not like the sections that began as "Fergal's Diary" because they added no action or content to the story. I have no idea why they were there.

But I loved the last line.

Canned is definitely for the dark-humored among us, will be great for male and female reader (I'd say more of a boy book if you forced me at gunpoint), and best for ages 10 - 13.