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The Beloved Dearly
The Beloved Dearly
Author: Doug Cooney
Unabridged, multi-voiced recording. Ernie Castellano, fast-talking wheeler-dealer kid, has come up with his greatest idea yet: pet funerals! With his pals Dusty (an artist in coffins) and Swimming Pool (one of the world's great criers, an asset to any funeral she attends) Ernie creates a thriving business—and manages to land himself in mor...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780971754089
ISBN-10: 097175408X
Publication Date: 8/1/2002
Pages: 183
Edition: Unabridged
Rating:
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Publisher: Full Cast Audio
Book Type: Audio Cassette
Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
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reviewed The Beloved Dearly on + 14 more book reviews
Ernie is a twelve-year-old tycoon and this time he is making money by doing pet funerals. FUNNY, kids love it!
reviewed The Beloved Dearly on + 105 more book reviews
When Ernie Castellano is busted at school for one of his get-rich-quick schemes hawking cheeseburgers on mystery meat day he's grounded. The discovery of an empty lot proves irresistible to the young entrepreneur, however, and soon he's sneaking behind his father's back to start a pet funeral business. With the help of a handful of employees, including a scruffy nine-year-old artist who makes the caskets, and Swimming Pool, a professional mourner who can cry on demand, business is soon booming. But Ernie grows increasingly dictatorial and estranged from his new friends, and not until the death of his own dog does he learn there's more to value in life than cold hard cash. Cooney's background as a playwright is evident in the tight arc of the story and in the snappy dialogue. Some of the zaniness has an edge of forced hilarity, and some characters are cliched including the fast-talking Ernie ("Tell Mom and Dad you're going to a movie, you need the popcorn, score the ten bucks, and give little Frisky the send-off he deserves"). But the themes are credibly developed and the ending in particular has emotional resonance. This is a likable story with solid appeal. Ages 8-12.


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