Dave's most despised teacher, a gleeful frog dissector named Ms. Veronica Krockle, is absent. Her students are psyched! But Sticky is suspicious. Especially when the substitute teacher turns out to be strangely interested in geckos. Or rather, boys with pet geckos.

That’s no substitute! That’s Damien Black, dastardly treasure hunter and master of disguise!

If Damien Black is in school, does that mean he’s behind Ms. Krockle’s absence? Could she have been kidnapped? And does that mean Dave has to rescue her? Ay chihuahua! The capped crusader is (reluctantly) on the case.


From the Hardcover edition.

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page

Wendelin Van Draanen spent many years as a teacher before devoting herself to writing full-time. She lives in central California.

Stephen Gilpin graduated from the School of Visual Arts. He lives in Kansas.


From the Hardcover edition.

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page