Maw Books

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In my review of Alvin Ho:  Allergic to Girls, Schools, and Other Scary Things I said that the book was perfect in every way.  That I wanted to give it a little hug.

Naturally, I couldn’t wait for it’s sequel Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look.  I put the book on hold at the library and then drove myself crazy because it took forever for it to be processed after it’s release (book came out in June – I picked it up end of July).  Don’t these librarians know that I need books like this immediately?  I think I gave a little squeal when it was time to go pick it up.

And in hindsight, I’m not really sure why I bothered with the library in the first place.  I HAVE to own this series.  Once my boys get old enough they are going to be one of the first books that I share with them.  As some of you may remember, I recently went camping with my two little boys.  It seemed only appropriate to take this book with me and I must say that it was really fun to read by flashlight in the tent.

This sequel does not disappoint.  Instead of a little hug, I wanted to give it a huge bear hug.  Hmm . . . bears.  That just made me think of camping.  This book had me giddy from the opening page,

You will know some things about me if you have read a book called Alvin Ho:  Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things. But you won’t know all about me, so that is why there is now this second book.

In case you missed it, my name is Alvin Ho.  I was born scared and I am still scared . . .

Alvin among other things has claustrophobia.  I thought it was a riot in one of the beginning chapters Alvin and his little sister Anibelly (who in her own right could also easily steal the show because of her mega-cuteness)  decided to tie Alvin up in a straitjacket, topped him off with rope, rolled him into a time machine (aka – dishwasher box) and taped it shut.  The doorbell rings and Anibelly runs off.  It’s grandma and not knowing that Alvin is home takes Anibelly out for a whole afternoon together.  Alvin is left alone until scared in the dark until his mother comes home.  Seriously, such a pure joy to read of this little boy’s incredibly scary experience.

And that’s only the beginning!  Alvin’s Dad decides that it would be fun to take Alvin on a camping trip.  Nothing – nothing – could be worse than camping. Alvin writes out his last will and testament in anticipation of his eminent death and uses his Dad’s credit card to purchase (by next day delivery) a super-duper Triple Action Monster Eye Wide Beam Flashlight, a portable diesel generator, a GPS, N95 respirator dust masks, water-purification tablets, energy bars and night-vision goggles.  Hmm . . . I can imagine what that will be like when the bill comes.

Alvin and his Dad with tag-along Anibelly brave the wild outdoors for a trip that they, nor the reader, will soon forget.  From the setting up of the tent,  to Dad collapsing  in a state of exhaustion to the point they can’t wake him up and homemade snares, hilarity ensues.

And as a side note – I love that Alvin is Chinese and that his favorite meal is vegetable wontons and noodles.  Smart kid.  Mmmmm . .. . yummy.

No wonder I am loving middle grade fiction so much.  These characters are simply fantastic!  I love them.  I love them all.   Alvin Ho will readily appeal to both genders of young readers.  If your kid doesn’t like this book, well, I just don’t know what to say . . . Yes.  I do.  Pass them on to this mama.  Because I’ll be reading them all.  .

(And in a moment of hilarity, while writing this review, received an email from my brother wanting to know if we were up for camping this weekend.  Bring it on!  Do you camp?)

Links of interest:  Maw Books review of Alvin Ho:  Allergic to School, Girls, and Other Scary Things.
Genre:  Middle Grade Fiction, approx ages 9-12
Publisher:  Schwartz and Wade.  June 23, 2009.
Hardcover, 176 pages.  ISBN:  0375857052
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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