Gordon Korman is a popular author among third through seventh graders.  It almost feels like you are eavesdropping on conversations while reading his books, the dialog is so natural.  Unleashed is book 7 in the Swindle Mystery series.  Korman’s popularity is oftentimes based on having so many series with multiple books in them; kids enjoy getting to know the characters and then want to read another story that is based more on the plot.  In this episode, as in all other episodes, there are a number of side stories intertwined.  The kids’ school is having an ‘Inventa-palooza’ — an invention contest.  Griffin gets sucked into entering by his arch nemesis, Darren, namely because Griffin’s dad is a professional inventor.  But Darren’s ploy is just to make a fool out of Griffin; he already has what he thinks is the winning invention made with the help of his father’s company.  Griffin is stumped; his dad’s creativity just didn’t passed along with the genes.  He hopes to rope in his brainiac friend Melissa, but she has already entered the contest herself.  Her invention is a system to keep Luthor, a Doberman dog, from chasing a truck down the street.  The first time it’s used, it works brilliantly, but then it gets stolen.  They can’t figure out why or by whom.  Griffin’s invention involves a household appliance, and although it seems to work, it causes power outages whenever its turned on.  The humor is pervasive throughout the whole story, especially during the blackouts and Darren’s hysteria.  Those familiar with Korman’s other books will enjoy this one as well.