it really does fly! Nice to be back in the land of blogging, I must say and I'm starting off with a MMGM post to tell you all about THE ADVENTURES OF BEANBOY by Lisa Harkrader, one of the books I read for The Cybils.
From GoodReads:
Never underestimate the power of the bean. Tucker MacBean has been drawing comic books almost as long as he’s been reading them. When his favorite comic has a contest for kids, he hopes he has finally found a way to fix his family—all he has to do is create the winning superhero sidekick . . . Introducing “Beanboy”—the first comic book character to truly harness the power of the bean for good. He is strong, he is relentless, he can double in size overnight (if given enough water). Tucker's a good kid. A really good kid with a tough life. Dad keeps in touch with the odd email here and there after he walked out on the family. Mom has to work some long, always on call hours while going to school so Tucker is left to care for his little brother who has special needs. And you know, he does a pretty amazing job at doing what needs to be done. Doesn't mean he wants it to be that way. In fact he wants his Mom around more, his little brother needs her and so does he. So when an opportunity to realize his dream of becoming a world famous cartoonist and helping his mom out so she doesn't have to be working and going to school all the time you can bet he is all over that. But can he do it? Especially when he has the school nasty girl picking on him and turning up in his life in the most unexpected ways? Not only is he on a quest to create the best superhero sidekick in order to win a contest, he's also on a quest to find the hero's heart within himself. The hero's heart that will allow him to stand up for himself and what he wants. This book is funny, well written and tells a story kids will love because they can relate to the main character-whether they've have or are experiencing the kind of life he has or, like him, are middle grade students just trying to be themselves amidst a cast of other middle graders just...trying to be themselves.
Happy MMGM all! Here's the link to take you back to Shannon's site and more MMGM posts.
Sounds like a good blend of humor and real-life stuff that will hit middle graders in the right place.
ReplyDeleteexactly what this one does, Barbara. and does it well.
DeleteSounds good and I hadn't heard of it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a chance to check it out to see what you think of it as well.
DeleteThe power of the bean for good -- that's funny. Comics + Superheroes + special needs little brother: sounds like a great read. Thanks, Deb.
ReplyDeleteI need to check this one out for my own middle-grader. Thanks, Deb, for the recommendation. :D
ReplyDelete