The Kneebone Boy

 

Meet the Hardscrabble children.

Otto: lover of all things odd and curious, wears a mysterious scarf around his neck, and speaks entirely with his hands. 

Lucia: adventure enthusiast, self-proclaimed leader, fearful of heights.

Max: a clever boy who can often be found thinking "deeply and importantly"

According to Lucia, nothing exciting ever happens in the small town of Little Tunks. That is until they find themselves in London running from a deranged tattooed man, riding a hearse into the forest with a taxidermist, staying in a real castle folly (complete with tiny carousel and secret passageway!), adopting a five-legged cat, and searching for a mysterious boy with a dark past. Sounds pretty intense, huh? Did I mention that their mother, who cryptically disappeared years ago, may be their Great Aunt Haddie? 

If you enjoy books about dark family secrets, forbidding castles, and all things strange and mystical I recommend unearthing a copy of this deeply entertaining tale before the secret is out. 

Recipe to Read By: Chocolate Fluffernutter No Bake Bars

The British Hardscrabbles are appalled at the "disgusting mess" of American foods Great Aunt Haddie serves them, marshmallow fluff being one of them. 

Even self-proclaimed Fluff Snobs such as Lucia, Otto, and Max will enjoy these sticky, chocolatey, peanut-buttery treats. Who wouldn't?

Ingredients

1 jar of marshmallow fluff 

1 tbsp butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup chopped roasted peanuts (or M&Ms)

3 cups Cheerios cereal

1 12 oz. package of chocolate chips

Directions: 

Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan and set aside.

While you're at it, set a big spoonful of fluff aside to enjoy later when no one is watching.

Place marshmallow fluff and butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute.

Stir and microwave on high one minute more.

Stir in peanut butter and microwave on high one minute more. At this point everything should be an incredible looking gooey mess.

Combine Cheerios, peanuts, and half of chocolate chips in a large bowl.

Dump in peanut butter-fluff mixture and mix so that all the pieces are coated with the sticky goodness.

Flop everything into the prepared bowl.

Cover with waxed paper or plastic wrap and press firmly into pan.

Melt remaining chocolate chips and spread on top of bars. 

Wait for bars to cool. Or don't. Why not live dangerously once in a while?

For more recipes using fluff, click HERE.