Whenever Alvin's Magnificent Brain clicks into action and a glassy stare comes into his eyes, it's time to watch out! For Alvin is thinking up another marvelous invention.

Maybe it's a Foolproof Burglar Alarm for his bedroom door, or a Sure Shot Paper Slinger for delivering newspapers from his bike. Or a Portable Fire Escape, very handy when it comes time to crawl out the window for a secret meeting with his best pal, Wilfred Shoemaker. No doubt about it, as his sister The Pest says, "Alvin is a genius!"

The hint of a mystery surrounding the old Huntley Place is all Alvin needs to launch a new series of inventions which bring extraordinary results. His remarkable inventing bench becomes the scene of frenzied activity. With Wilfred and The Pest, who always tags along, there is never a dull moment as Alvin unfolds the most brilliant plan of his career.

A wonderfully funny story by a talented author. Charles Geer's excellent illustrations contribute their own special humor, too.

From the dust jacket

Since 1960, both boys and girls have enjoyed reading about Alvin Fernald and his Magnificent Brain. Whenever it kicks into action and a glassy stare comes into his eyes, it's time to watch out! Because Alvin is thinking up another marvelous invention.

Maybe it's the Foolproof Burglar Alarm for his bedroom door, or as Sure Shot Paper Slinger for delivering newspapers from his bike. Or a Portable Fire Escape, very handy when it comes time to crawl out the window for a secret meeting with his best pal, Shoie. No doubt about it, as his sister Pest says, "Alvin is a genius!"

With this best friend Wilfred Shoemaker (Shoie for short) and the Pest, who always tags along, there is never a dull moment as Alvin unfolds the most brilliant plan of his career to solve the mystery surrounding the old Huntley place.

From the Purple House Press edition