Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit!

November 1, 2007
Gr 1-4-In the first of these two stories, Martin's frustration with a classmate's continual lies and exaggerations reaches a boiling point after Harper boasts that his father is a spy who has created a jet pack for him to use. It is only after Harper arrives at school wearing the same astronaut costume as Martin that he really loses control, causing Harper to be accused of something he did not do. Next, Martin learns the danger of imitating his cartoon hero, Zip Rideout, too closely and that bouncing on a pogo stick in a tree fort is never a good idea. Young readers will identify with Martin's reaction to these humorous predicaments and many will share his interest in space and superheroes. The frequent charcoal illustrations will help early-chapter-book readers make sense of the text, and the quality of the storytelling makes this title a good read-aloud."Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2008
In the first story, Martin struggles with his feelings about a braggy classmate. In the second, he falls from his tree house while trying to emulate his hero, Zip Rideout. The people in Martin's world are kind, helpful, and caring, and the characters' emotions are real and believable. Frequent graphite and charcoal illustrations add to the book's richness.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)