Book Review: Hertz Gets Fused
Title: Hertz Gets Fused
Author: Suzanne Purvis
Publisher: Owl’s Nest Publishers
Format: Novel-in-Verse
Recommended Ages: 8-13
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun, Quirky Middle Grade Novel-in-Verse Set in the Arizona Desert
Three words open this delightful, entertaining, fast-paced tale: Smoke. Flames. Sirens.
Readers are thrust into the wonderful, inventive, ingenious mind of superb storyteller Purvis who takes us on a funtastic ride into tech-obsessed twelve-year old Hertz’s summer odyssey. A result of his bright idea: A penny placed behind the fuse. Not his best idea. His electrical devices destroyed. His room gone in flames, and his dog Avis, a lifesaving trip to the vet.
The fire makes the evening news nationwide. And Hertz gets sent to spend a summer with his unconventional and wise Great Uncle “Pops” in a sleepy town called Show Low.
Pops’ trailer has no access to a computer, cell phone, TV, or internet. This is a fate worse than death. And Show Low isn’t the sleepy town Hertz thought it was. Hertz explores new friendships, encounters town bullies, and a Sheriff convinced the string of dumpster fires are all the handiwork of newcomer Hertz.
Can Hertz survive a summer in Show Low without technology, and uncover who the actual fire starter is before he ends up in juvenile jail? Filled with what-can-go-wrong moments, multiple misadventures, and memorable life lessons, Hertz Gets Fused reveals all of this and more. This book isn’t just for middle school readers but adults as well.
What makes Hertz Gets Fused exceptional is Purvis’s choice to write it as a novel-in-verse. For those unfamiliar with the format, novels-in-verse tell stories through poetry instead of traditional prose. This structure perfectly captures Hertz’s racing thoughts, his quick-fire observations, and the rapid pace of his summer misadventures.
The verse format also makes this incredibly accessible for reluctant readers. The white space on the page, the rhythmic flow, the punchy delivery: it all moves fast, keeping middle-grade readers engaged while delivering genuine depth and heart.
The cast of characters Hertz encounters in Show Low brings warmth and dimension to the story. Great Uncle Pops is wonderfully unconventional: wise without being a stereotype, present without hovering. The friendships Hertz builds feel genuine, especially as he learns to connect with people instead of screens.
The mystery element (a string of dumpster fires with Hertz as the sheriff’s prime suspect) adds tension and stakes without overwhelming the character development. Hertz must navigate new friendships, town bullies, a suspicious sheriff, and a scavenger hunt that could win him enough money for a used laptop.
But the real prize isn’t the laptop. It’s what Hertz discovers about himself, about connection, about what matters when you’re unplugged from the noise.
Purvis writes with humor and heart. There are laugh-out-loud moments balanced with genuinely touching scenes. The Arizona setting comes alive: the heat, the trailer park community, the small-town dynamics. Everything feels authentic and lived-in.
This book speaks directly to today’s kids who are growing up in a hyperconnected world while also being a timeless story about finding yourself, making amends, and learning that real connection doesn’t require Wi-Fi.
As someone who writes to help children understand they’re enough exactly as they are, I appreciate how Purvis shows Hertz discovering his worth isn’t tied to his tech skills or his mistakes. He’s enough: flawed, forgiven, and figuring things out.
What Amazon Readers Say:
Amazon reviewers consistently praise this book as entertaining and easy to read, with multiple readers noting they laughed out loud. The fast-paced story receives high marks, with one customer describing it as “sparkling with electricity.” The poetry format gets specific praise for being both joyful and poignant, and readers highlight the memorable life lessons woven throughout.
Get Your Copy:
Buy Hertz Gets Fused on Amazon
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Recommended for ages 8-13, especially for middle-grade readers who love humor, heart, and fast-paced adventures. Perfect for reluctant readers, tech-obsessed kids who need to unplug, and anyone who appreciates stories about second chances and genuine connection.
