Description

The humor of Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets a Godfather-like tale of crime and betrayal in this first book in Chris Rylander's The Fourth Stall Saga.

Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. He and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boy's bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming. Or at least it was, until this particular Monday. Because this Monday is when Mac and Vince find out that the trouble with solving everyone else's problems is there's no one left to solve yours.

The school setting; fast-paced, cinematic, and funny story; and engaging voice make The Fourth Stall a perfect classroom read.

Supports the Common Core State Standards


  • A School Story Like No Other: Sixth-grader Mac isn’t just surviving middle school—he’s running it from the fourth bathroom stall, solving any problem for the right price.
  • Friendship and Loyalty: With his best friend Vince managing the books, Mac thinks they have everything under control. But their biggest case yet will test their bond like never before.
  • A Gripping Kids’ Mystery: When a mysterious new operation starts causing trouble, Mac and Vince have to figure out who is trying to take over their turf before they lose everything.
  • Dealing with Bullies: From forging hall passes to handling the school’s toughest bullies, Mac’s business is the one-stop shop for every kid’s problems... until now.

About the author(s)

Chris Rylander is the author of the Fourth Stall saga and the Epic Series of Failures trilogy, as well as Codename Zero and its sequels. A fan of baseball, statistics, and baseball statistics, he lives with his family in Chicago. You can visit him online at www.chrisrylander.com.

Reviews

Here is an original-a story that really gets how guys are pals. It’s also funny, mysterious, and true to the heart of what really matters when you are in middle school. Do yourself a favor. Read it. Now. - Jon Scieszka, author of the Time Warp Trio series

Debut novelist Rylander mines a substantial amount of humor and heart from this combination hard-boiled crime novel and middle-grade character piece. A light and enjoyable caper. - Publishers Weekly

Draws in even the most apprehensive young reader… A robust story rich in action, adventure, humor, and friendship. - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Mac narrates the tale with the arch flatness of a 1940s satire of the noir detective genre…Excellent. - ALA Booklist

More Mysteries & Detective Stories

More Juvenile Fiction

More Law & Crime

More Friendship

More Social Themes

More Peer Pressure

More Strangers

More Violence