Treasonous Tycoon (The Adventures of the Flash Gang 2) by M.M. Downing & S.J. Waugh

What worked:

The book is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the Great Depression and the descriptions of that time in history make it historical fiction. The plot centers on streeters, kids living on the streets, and their struggles to survive. They shoplift, pickpocket, and do random menial jobs, anything to find food and shelter from the elements. Some of them even run errands for the mob or sell information to those who can afford it. The steelworkers during the Depression are struggling too and there is unrest between them and the factory owners. Hitler is gaining power in Europe (a few years before WW II) and he’s being supported by the antagonists in this book. The concept of fascist sympathizers underlies the conflict in the plot and highlights an issue that’s not often talked about. Pittsburgh suffered one of its worst natural disasters in 1936 and the book reflects this when the city is devastated by a torrential flood.

Lewis, or Brain, is the leader of the Flash Gang, although he is determined to not use the Recipe again. The Recipe is a mixture of powders from the previous book that creates a blinding flash of light allowing Lewis to steal food for his gang, the church, and others in need. The four members of his gang behave like a family and they combine their efforts to survive. However, the enemies of Lewis and Pearl think they’re dead, and using the Recipe again will let those enemies realize Lewis and Pearl are still alive. Young Mac doesn’t understand why using the Recipe is a big problem and he’s angry at Lewis for not using it to keep them from feeling starved all of the time. A huge problem arises when Mac disappears from their hideout after Lewis chooses not to use the Recipe to rescue him at a critical moment.

As always, Pearl is a highlight of the book. She calls herself Lola and Lewis is called Sir Nigel after characters from her favorite radio show. She talks incessantly and her creative mind generates various stories out of the most mundane tasks. She often speaks of her father, a world-famous explorer, and it’s hard for Lewis to tell when to separate her imagination from reality. She was mistreated while staying with her aunt so she’s now living with Lewis in an abandoned factory. Pearl quickly gets worked up when she even thinks about Nazis and she has her sights on J.J. Pickering, a major Pittsburgh benefactor and entrepreneur. Lewis and her determination to stop Pickering the ongoing conflict in the series.

What didn’t work as well:

Much of the book follows Lewis as he investigates the disappearance of many streeters but Pearl is absent for chunks of the story. The interest level drops a little when she is gone even though the author continues to develop the mystery of the streeters. Pearl adds flair to the story and she will reappear at the most critical moments.

The final verdict:

The book continues the wonderful underdog story of the Flash Gang. I recommend you begin with the first book but it’s probably not essential to enjoy this one. The flooding in the second half of the book provides an exciting, natural complication to the plot that enhances the conflict with Pickering. Overall, young readers will become engrossed with Lewis and his gang and I highly recommend you give this book a shot.