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In the story, Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures: The Amazing Mexican Secret, Stanley is mailed to Mexico. When he is opened up he jumps out is meets Carlos's cousin. She claims that he is a spy because Stanley wants Isabela Beluga's secret ingredient. However, Stanley pulls out documentation saying that he is not a spy. Stanley went on to say she must know Cameron del Junco, the famous bullfighter. She smiled and told him that she does. The cousin called over a man named Julio and had him to Stanley up into the stadium. As they walked the cousin opened the big doors to the stadium and the crowd went wild. Stanley just met Cameron and did not even realize it. Stanley watched her take her red cape and let the bull charge her in the ring. She would look up into the stands and make eye contact with Stanley. Stanley jumped up and down waving at Cameron. However, someone accidentally slapped Stanley in the back of the head and he went flying into the arena. The bull was staring right at Stanley because he was wearing red. The bull began to charge Stanley, and he could not bare to watch. Then all of sudden he felt a hand on his shoulder and it was Cameron lifting him up into the air and the bull ran right under him. ( )

Stanley is a flat boy who lives an adventurous life. When his friend Carlos shows them a special dish named huevos rancheros Stanley’s mother wants to know the special ingredient. Carlos tells them no one knows the secret ingredient just his grandmother who lives in Mexico. Stanley goes all the way to Mexico to get the secret recipe from Carlos’s grandmother. But there are spies trying to steal the secret recipe. Stanley’s trip turned into a great adventure. This is a wonderful entertaining story you have to read to find out if he is able to get the secret recipe without it being stolen from him. ( )

I adore this book. It is filled with excitement and adventures. The fact that Carlos was brave. Even though he is not like others. He is still that brave little boy who gets free trips around the world. ( )

Mystery, adventure. Good for boys. Has spanish words with their explanation. Plenty of pictures, has some larger words.

This is not the Flat Stanley I remember from school, and I like that he is traveling the world introducing kids to different cultures and language (there is a lot of Spanish mixed in). Still, the story is pretty cliche and predictable. The story moves fast enough, but it isn't one that will be a hit with every reader.

To read our full review, go to The Reading Tub®.