When Jasper John Dooley realizes a can of Torpedo High Energy Drink has
rolled out of the vending machine instead of the bottle of apple juice
he selected, he knows he shouldn't drink it. His parents had warned him
about these "Bad" drinks that were full of things like sugar and
caffeine. Jasper was allowed sugary things only as a special treat and
only after he had eaten good things. Like celery. But Jasper finds the
allure of the ice-cold can irresistible. He just has to take a sip.
"Right away his mouth exploded in prickles. When he swallowed, the
prickles went down, too. But the drink was sweet, and as soon as he took
one sip, he wanted another." And before Jasper knows what hit him, the
overabundance of caffeine and sugar in the energy drink has fueled all
kinds of misbehavior. Is there anything that can bring him back to his
senses? Caroline Adderson's early chapter book series starring the
endearing Jasper John Dooley combines relatable experiences with a
hilariously entertaining main character who sees the world in his own
offbeat way. Here, Jasper's intriguing naughtiness is honestly portrayed
as a struggle between the exhilaration of being bad and the
discomforting downsides of feeling so hyper (and so guilty). Its
readability and good fun mean that youngsters, particularly boys, will
not want to put this book down. But it also offers priceless lessons
about personal responsibility and making good choices.