Readers have to hand it Fart Quest. It clearly states what the book is about in its title. Granted, you have no idea what the quest entails, but are fairly certain that someone is on a journey and they’re probably gassy. Author Aaron Reynolds takes a simple premise and makes it so much more. Not content to simply make an upper elementary through middle school book; he’s written an adventure book about a mage in training that, at times, has more in common with Lord of the Rings than Captain Underpants.
It doesn’t entirely take the low road to get there. Of course, the book is laden with toilet jokes, however, those readers who take note will marvel at how restrained a book called Fart Quest is in its potty humor. Those readers will see it as a tale of redemption, how an apprentice made a poor choice in a time of crisis, and had to deal with its consequences.
Bartlock is the apprentice to one of the strongest wizards in the area, Elmore the Impressive. His legacy is miles long in being able to recount spells for any occasion at the drop of his moon crested, pointy hat. Each mage has a go-to spell that intimidates their opponents and allows them to quickly empty the field of combat. When Bartlock is asked to find his go-to spell he chooses Gas Attack. In theory, it’s great because it allows you to turn your opponent into gas, but you have to be touching them, and said power is akin to expelling gas from your intestine via your anus.
It’s because of this that his friends more than often simply call him Fart. Early in Fart Quest the master wizards are locked in a battle and are unfortunately vanquished, leaving the three apprentices to fend for themselves. This means that Moxie the Magnificent, Pan the Passive Aggressive, and Fart are adrift in feudal times with no one to learn from.
It’s here where the fun really starts. Because they have a blank slate the three create their own legacies and decide to find a quest that will bestow upon them the heroic titles that they think they deserve. They meet other warriors who look more the part than them but believe in themselves and carry on. When the three stumble across a job that the other ronin wouldn’t take they see this as their chance to make their name in the kingdom.
In the process, there are some fart jokes, but Bartlock is trying not to play into his strength. After all, it is a very odd superpower and with fame just on the horizon is that really what he wants to be known for? Toss in some monsters, big and small, plus lots of action and a very well thought out story and you’ve got one of the best middle school books of the year in Fart Quest.
It has much more heart than you’re expecting from a book with this title. If you’re expecting lots of grins, laughs, and medieval action then the book will fill that easily fill that reservoir with a little run off to boot. Reynolds is the author of two of our favorite illustrated books of all time, Creepy Carrots and Creepy Pair of Underwear!. They are two illustrated classics that will remain in your forever library and it’s great to read something for middle school audiences from him.
Fart Quest is by Aaron Reynolds with illustrations by Cam Kendell and Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan.
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