Tag: Mac Barnett

REVIEW: Mac B. Kid Spy - Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett

REVIEW: Mac B. Kid Spy – Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in an online contest. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Mac Barnett is the author of the Brixton Brothers series and the Terrible Two series for middle grade readers as well as a bunch of picture books. What you might not know is that as a kid, Mac was a spy for the Queen of England!

Mac is first called into service when something is stolen from the Crown Jewels. The case takes Mac to England, France and the Soviet Union (this happens in 1989) in search of the missing item.

Review

This is a fun, silly story for kids ready to branch out into chapter books (low to mid-elementary school). There are lots of brightly colored illustrations in blue and gold – really eye-catching. There are hilarious moments (like the redacted steps for a heist) and questionable ones (What adult wants a kid’s pair of jeans?) But I know kids are going to love this! Hand this to readers who want an funny adventure story. They won’t be disappointed. Book 2 will release at the end of this year.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: April Fools’ Day

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy April Fools’ Day! I have never loved this “holiday,” especially as a teacher. But I do like to READ about pranks and pranksters. Here are a few prankster books to enjoy this month:

My Lucky Day – Hilarious picture book about a hungry fox who finds a pig on his front porch. How lucky! By the time it is all over, though, it just might be the pig who is the lucky one!

 

 

 

 

April Fools’, Mr. Todd! – I haven’t had a chance to read this one yet, but I LOVE Judy Moody. This early reader series with Judy and her friends is perfect for kids in lower elementary grades who are growing as readers and are ready to try some longer stories. The illustrations are full color and fantastic. I can’t wait to read this one!

 

 

 

The Terrible Two – A prankster arrives at his new school ready to show the other kids his skills. But there is a pretty impressive prankster already there. Is this school big enough for TWO master pranksters? I get a huge kick out of this series by Mac Barnett. There are two books already with a third slated for 2018. Great for fans of the Wimpy Kid books.

 

 

 

The Last Boy at St. Edith’s – This book about the only boy at an all-girls school (the school tried to go co-ed and it didn’t work, but his mom teaches at the school, so he is stuck) who tries to prank his way to expulsion is on my TBR! I’ve been trying to get to this one for awhile. This might be the perfect time to read this one!

 

 

 

 

Codename Zero – A prankster is recruited to help a secret government agency. This is on my TBR, too, This is the first book in a series. I love books where the grown ups have to seek out a kid to save the day!

REVIEW – How This Book Was Made by Mac Barnett

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A book about creating books! An author (Mac Barnett) tells the story of how an idea becomes a published book. And there is a tiger with a posse, a lot of waiting, pirates, astronauts, and the Great Wall of China.

Really!

A book about creating books!

Review

This is a fun, quirky little book that explains the publication process. An idea becomes a first draft. Then there are several more drafts. Then an editor. And corrections. Then an illustrator. And on and on until a reader finally gets to enjoy it.

The book is funny and silly while also communicating the steps to publication (or the steps to finishing a piece of writing). Readers learn all about the process in a pretty memorable way.

The illustrations are fantastic. I don’t usually gravitate toward this style of art, but the pictures are too clever not to enjoy. The illustrations of the author are my favorite as they really look like Mac Barnett (except for the really long beard).

This is a great collaboration from the team behind the Brixton Brothers middle grade mystery series as well as the picture book Chloe and the Lion.

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥