RBI Fact or Fiction is a new series of fiction straight from the makers of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, geared towards young readers.
Capturing all the fun and weirdness that Ripley’s is known for, the first book, A Scaly Tale was an absolute hit with my son. He read it start to finish in one evening at home and is clamoring quite loudly for the other titles in the series, so reviews of those will be forthcoming shortly.
A Scaly Tale introduces the team of diverse yet requisite hip teens,all who posess unique talents that aren’t exactly normal ones, such as magnetic or electrical powers. These teens are the agents that make up the team of RBI, whose mission is to discern fact from fiction.
This tale has them chasing reports of a “lizard man”and their mission is to find out if he’s real or not.
Full of fast paced action, random little Ripley facts tossed in here and there (such as the famous “mermaid hoax” made from a fish and a monkey, two headed calves, etc) these books are sure to appeal to children 6 and up.
The trading cards in the back of the book that detail the real life lizard man,the mermaid, and agent and an alligator are a neat addition. My son was fascinated by the card featuring Erik Sprague, the man who tattooed his body in scales to look like a lizard.
As someone who enjoyed Ripley’s Believe It or Not on television, I love the idea of these books and can’t wait to read the other ones! They bring back fond memories of my own childhood fascination with Ripley’s and I am so excited that my son can enjoy the same wonderful creepy,weird tales in young reader books!
You can visit their fun new website here .
Reading level: ages 6 and up
Page Count: 125
Publisher: Icewater Press
Publisher’s synopsis: The Florida swamplands are home to hungry gators, wild electrical storms and a most unusual creature. Sightings of a strange lizard-like animal reach Ripley High and the RBI are sent to investigate.
During their search, the RBI agents find themselves in the middle of a high-speed airboat chase, a swarm of rats, a mysterious treasure hunt and DUL agents in disguise. But then that’s nothing unusual when you’re a member of the RBI.