Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
Alvin Ho Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read this year. I just want to give it a little hug. Perfect in every way.
From the jacket:
Here are some things you should know about Alvin Ho:
He is afraid of everything. Trains, bridges, substitute teachers, girls, school. Everything.
He is from Concord, Massachusetts, which is hard to spell.
He loves Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and all of the superheroes of the world. In fact, he is superhero himself – Firecracker Man!
He is trying very hard to be a gentleman, like his dad, but there are a lot of rules and they are hard to remember.
He can talk at home and on the school bus, but never, ever at school. It is just too scary. (See #1.)
I loved Alvin, I loved Flea, I loved his parents. I could relate to how Alvin can’t talk when he’s at school. I have both a niece and a nephew who wouldn’t talk to anybody outside of their immediate family, including their own grandparents. They’ve grown out of it now but it went on for years. I can picture that stare that Alvin probably gave when he was expected to speak but he couldn’t make the words come out.
I really don’t think I could have said it any better than Melissa at Book Nut when she said, “I wanted to wrap him up and put him in my pocket as a mom, but I could see how he’d be exciting and amusing and fun for kids to read. Especially younger, beginning readers, or those who aren’t as interested. I’d say call it Clementine or Moxy Maxwell for boys, but I think girls would get into it too.”
Enough said. Cute book. I’m excited for its sequel, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and other Natural Disasters, which comes out June 2009.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Middle Readers
Tags: A-D Title, I-L Author
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That book looks wonderful. I love the cover and title, too!
on January 24th, 2009 at 7:20 amThanks for the link.
I’m so glad you liked Alvin, too. He really is adorable. And I didn’t know that there was a sequel to look forward to. YAY!
on January 24th, 2009 at 8:02 amWhat do you mean by younger kids? Would my 3 1/2 year old like it??
on January 24th, 2009 at 12:56 pmKathy – It is a great cover.
Melissa – Yay for the sequel!
Laura H. – Sorry, I should be more specific. According to the publisher, it’s for about ages 9-12. I think it could go a little lower. But it’s a chapter book with illustrations.
on January 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pmThanks, we’re always looking for fun new characters (I love Junie B. Jones, but someone new, once in a while, would be nice.) Oh, and I wanted to recommend Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz vs The Evil Librarians books, y’know, if you run out of things to read.
on January 24th, 2009 at 2:08 pmNatasha – This sounds like a great book. I will have to check it out.
on January 24th, 2009 at 2:34 pmHappy Saturday! You’ve received an award. See it here.
on January 24th, 2009 at 4:19 pmI just ordered this book yesterday!! Glad you loved it! I thought the review sounded wonderful and that a lot of kids at my school would love this character and even relate to him!!
on January 24th, 2009 at 7:37 pmAllergic to girls? That’s so cute! How old is Alvin anyway?? It must be daunting for him at school if he’s so afraid of so many things.
on January 24th, 2009 at 8:03 pmWow….I like the new look! And thanks for visiting my blog. I’m slowly adding things as I learn to use wordpress.
on January 24th, 2009 at 10:11 pmI haven’t heard of this one before, but it sounds like fun.
on January 24th, 2009 at 10:39 pmI’ll have to seek this one out. I hope they have it at the library
on January 25th, 2009 at 8:17 amMrs. B. Roth – I’ve always wanted to read something by Sanderson after going to a book signing of his.
Cari – I’ll have to read your review when you do! It would make for a fun read-a-loud with your daughter.
Shelly – Those are kind words! Thank you.
Staci – I’m happy you already ordered it. Enjoy!
Jenn M. – I still need to email you with some misc. Wordpress stuff.
Alyce – It is fun.
Becky – I think I neglected to mention in the review that it’s on the Cybils shortlist, one of the main reasons I checked it out. I’m glad I did because I loved it!
on January 25th, 2009 at 11:25 amNatasha- Thanks! Any help would be appreciated. I’m getting it slowly by trial and error. Luckily you can edit any mistakes you make!
on January 25th, 2009 at 8:35 pmAw! I was like that when I was little too! My grandmother said she didn’t even know I could talk until I was about 3 or 4.
on January 25th, 2009 at 10:11 pmThis book sounds delightful. I will have to get this. Children will be able to identify with having fears. What kid doesn’t at some point. It is at Amazon so I will order this one. Will get back to you with how I like it and how my grandchildren like it. Peace-Isobelle
on January 26th, 2009 at 6:10 pmI just recently discovered this book and have a hold on it at the library. I am really looking forward to it.
on January 27th, 2009 at 9:54 amLadytink_534 – Oh wow!
Isobelle – I hope you and your grandchildren enjoy it.
Jeanette – I think you’ll really like it. We seem to be reading a lot of the same books these days.
on January 28th, 2009 at 5:36 pm