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.