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I mean that she has an ability to capture the joy and dread of humanity in miniature. Alvin, for example, is rendered perfectly here. Whether he's cowering in dread or bursting onto the scene as a superhero, this protagonist is impossible to imagine as anything but as Ms. I particularly enjoyed the picture of the boys in Alvin's class discovering that they've all gotten chicken pox as he smiles out at the reader, his happiness undulating off of him invisibly.
As I read this book do you know what title it kept reminded me of? Maybe that's not as odd as it sounds, though. Both books have that early chapter book style. Both mix in a brand of humor particular to their respective authors. And both, I am convinced, will remain firmly implanted in the brains of their readers for years and years to come. I'd love to wave a magic wand, bonk Alvin Ho over the head, and declare this book a contemporary classic. If I'm any judge, however, I figure this is just the first in many Alvin Ho books to come. Though it stands entirely on its own, Look has left plenty of room for future installments in the series.
Alvin Ho turns out to be a guy definitely worth knowing. Help a kid to meet him. Aug 07, The Library Lady rated it liked it. I know I'm supposed to follow the other reviewers and kvell over this book and declare Alvin to be the next Ramona, Junie B, whoever, just not in a dress.
From the moment he began to assemble his "Personal Disaster Kit" I stopped believing in Alvin as a living, breathing second grader. And the finale, with Alvin finally making friends with a cool girl, was about as predictable as you can get. I found this contrived and cutesy and could almost feel the author winking at the adults read I know I'm supposed to follow the other reviewers and kvell over this book and declare Alvin to be the next Ramona, Junie B, whoever, just not in a dress.
I found this contrived and cutesy and could almost feel the author winking at the adults reading this so that they could pass it down to kids feeling pleased with themselves for finding such a great book--hey,boys will love it--it's about a boy and it's easy to read and it's got great pictures! Sorry, Lenore Look, no sale. Please go back and write some more Ruby Lu books instead.
View all 5 comments. This book is good but isn't awesome. The audiobook is better. Jan 16, babyhippoface rated it it was amazing Shelves: Lenore Look and LeUyen Pham have teamed up to create one terrific cast of characters in this new chapter book for kids, Alvin Ho: Alvin is afraid of lots of things: And he's about to start second-grade, which means he's very nervous. At home with his loving and patient parents, sibl Lenore Look and LeUyen Pham have teamed up to create one terrific cast of characters in this new chapter book for kids, Alvin Ho: At home with his loving and patient parents, siblings Calvin and Anibelly, and their shaggy dog, Lucy, Alvin is the wild and loud, cape-and-colander-wearing superhero "Firecracker Man!
At school, though, things are different for Alvin. He suffers from selective mutism, which, for Alvin, means that although he has no trouble communicating in most situations, at school he becomes so terrified that it is impossible for him to speak: My voice works at home. It works in the car. It even works on the school bus. But as soon as I get to school I am as silent as a side of beef. Of course, he has no idea how valuable a friend Flea is, but he begins to catch on as the story moves along. So here we have a little girl apparently born with some serious physical defects she has both a prosthetic leg and an eye patch who has an absolutely amazing attitude.
She's kind, helpful, talkative, and throws a wicked punch. Which makes me love her all the more. Pham's comical and lively illustrations are drawn with lines as bold as Firecracker Man. Check out the drawing on page 91 of the entire family watching Dad's meltdown Mom's look of bemusement while everyone else is wide-eyed especially cracks me up. There was not a single thing I didn't like about this book. It has humor, it has heart there is a truly wonderful scene between Alvin and his dad at an ice cream parlor that reveals Dad's patience and insight , and it has a hero or two.
And girls are weird even if they wear a cool eye patch, drag a cool peg leg and know how to throw a mean uppercut. You have to stay in your house to give tours. It really fried my rice. Jan 19, Barb Middleton rated it really liked it Shelves: I work in Asia.
He's a second grader with a great imagination and great fears. When he goes to school he can't talk. When he's scared he can't I work in Asia. When he's scared he can't talk. He has a personal disaster kit PDK that helps him get through the uncertainties of life and an older brother who doles out advice on how to make friends. He goes to a therapist for the selective mute issue.
Like most young kids, Alvin can't quite sort through advice properly and he makes some innocent but costly mistakes trying to enact them. This gives Alvin an authentic voice. He plays games like a second grader from being a superheroe to building volcanoes. He's having a hard time making friends at school and when he finally does from the advice of a brother, he isn't sure he likes being a part of "the gang. Alvin must decide whether to stand up to a bully or not.
This is a subtle bully. He doesn't do super nasty things, he just manipulates people to serve his own interests not really caring about others. The older reader sees the bully's insecurities while Alvin just sees someone he doesn't want to be friends with. Alvin realizes that his other friend, who is a girl with an eye patch and short leg, is actually a lot more fun to hang out with than "the gang. I appreciate a book that tosses in humor for me, the adult; however even though the cursing in Shakespeare was unrealistic, I laughed hard.
A second-grader wouldn't be able to pronounce half those words much less remember them. I might have been able to buy it if the author had use a few but the therapist episode had too many curses. In the end, I didn't care and I don't think kids will either. It's a terrific way to introduce one of the greatest English dramatists in a kid-friendly way. Maybe in high school a kid will quote Shakespeare's curses to his English teacher then blame it on Alvin Ho. Toss in the mix that Alvin knows how to use tears with adults when he's in trouble and loves it when his dad calls him "Son" making him feel important and you have a clear picture of a second-grader with all his insecurities, joys, and playfulness.
This book has been popular with our grade students and now I see why. Fountas and Pinnell Service: Q Reading level 3.
Mar 27, Loretta rated it it was ok Shelves: Reading this book to my boys at bedtime gave me a very good idea of what Charlotte Mason meant when she described some children's books as 'twaddle'. Sure, it's an engaging little story, and I had to laugh at Alvin and his Shakespearean curses. But in the end I was left with the feeling that this was really a book about nothing at all.
Was it about friendship? Was it about childhood anxieties? Being a Chinese American boy? All of the above? I think th Meh. I think the author was going for all of the above, but in the end did not nail any of them in a manner that will be memorable to children. I think it is very telling that this book failed to engage my boys.
Whereas with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory they were on the edge of their seats waiting for him to find that golden ticket even the child who pretended he wasn't listening , this one garnered almost no interest after the first few chapters. I threatened to read it to myself tonight and not let them know the ending they weren't getting ready for bed and they both said they didn't care! They got ready for bed, we finished it Back to the classics for us.
View all 3 comments. Aug 26, Cheryl rated it really liked it Recommends it for: One of my favorite reviewers isn't raving about this because she doesn't feel that Alvin is authentic. I have to admit that she probably knows more second-graders than I do. But to me he felt very real. Not to mention adorable. How can they be so patient, so understanding? It helps that there are grandparents around, I guess, but still.
I mean, who but Alvin would believe a whispered remark, heard for the very first time as the boy is headed to piano le One of my favorite reviewers isn't raving about this because she doesn't feel that Alvin is authentic. I mean, who but Alvin would believe a whispered remark, heard for the very first time as the boy is headed to piano lessons, that the piano teacher is a witch?
Anyway, I loved the whole family. And I loved the world-building of what it's like to live in Concord Mass. Is it at a second-grade reading level? Good for family read-alouds. I bet a lot of teachers read it to their classes, because they can share ideas prompted about bullies, siblings, anxiety, being a gentleman, etc Well, I'm going to look for the sequels, too; one book was just not enough for me.
Jun 29, Amy Layton rated it really liked it Shelves: Maybe it's Pham's artwork, maybe it's Lenore's narrative, or maybe it's the two working together. It makes for an enjoyable ride. It also makes for a really emotional one, too.
You want Alvin to overcome his fears, and you want him to do it in a healthy way, which this book absolutely advocates for. One thing I really appreciated about this book was the fact that emotions were accepted as normal in Alvin and his father, and that they reacted to their negative emotions in really healthy ways, such as playing a song on the piano, or by creating something akin to a panic box.
Speaking up about anxiety and similar disorders in young children is something that's rarely seen, especially in children's literature, I've found, so to see that here, I think it's just wonderful. Overall, this was a fantastic book and series! Jun 29, John "Lucky" Witter rated it liked it.
Jun 23, Liying rated it it was amazing. Just remember reading this in fourth grade and having a good laugh. Alvin Ho, like many 2nd graders, loves superheroes, baseball, explosions, making mayhem, and digging holes. But as soon as I get to school… I am as silent as a side of beef. Making friends with the other boys in his class is also tricky. Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things is the story of how Alvin tries to cleverly circumvent the inconveniences caused by his anxiety.
It is a very funny book, but also a moving depiction of a boy navigating his way through the learning experiences of childhood, a time when school, family, and friends are such a large part of life. This book offers an interesting take on the typical kid-lit genre. The main protagonist is the middle child of a Chinese family who has close relationships with his extended family.
He lives in Concord, Massachusetts and refers often to the historical figures and events that took place there, especially during the Revolutionary War. Another interesting aspect of the story is that Alvin cannot speak in school and sees a psy This book offers an interesting take on the typical kid-lit genre. Another interesting aspect of the story is that Alvin cannot speak in school and sees a psychotherapist to help him become more comfortable in this environment. The story shows how Alvin learns about friendship and the dangers of giving in to the demands of a gang just to fit in.
The book is a quick read and I would recommend it for both boys and girls in elementary school. Our youngest brought this book home from school and we both read it independently. We both enjoyed the story and I will look for the other books in this series at our local library.
So now when he plays, he sounds like Brahms even though his fingers are as thick as bratwurst. As long as he was playing I was okay. And the longer he played, the more okay I was going to be, because as we all know, music is medicine. The more you take, the better you feel. Sep 13, Ariel Filion rated it really liked it Shelves: The novel follows Alvin Ho as he starts the second grade. The only problem is that he is allergic to school, girls, and basically everything. Alvin is afraid to talk in school and to speak his mind, but at home he is not.
At home Alvin is Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a normal second grader getting into shenanigans. The story follows his transition into second grade; the story is told through a personal narrative style accompanied by doodles to enhance the story with lau The novel follows Alvin Ho as he starts the second grade. The story follows his transition into second grade; the story is told through a personal narrative style accompanied by doodles to enhance the story with laughter and imagery for the reader.
Alvin Ho is a perfect example for age appropriate multicultural literature for second graders. This book is a mirror for any nervous student who will do anything and everything to get out of school. Alvin Ho is Asian American and talks about his Chinese culture in a way that could connect too many students his age. He does not go into depth regarding his culture, but he does bring up Chinese names that he calls his family members, Chinese New Year, and food from his culture.
This book is fun for the reluctant reader and refreshing for those who love to read. Apr 19, Megan rated it it was amazing Shelves: Alvin Ho is this generation's Charlie Brown. He's afraid of almost everything and wants to be included in the activities at school, but since he is afraid to speak at school, most kids just ignore him. In spite of all this, Alvin doesn't come off as a whiny, wimpy kid. In fact, he seems quite intelligent and has sweet, realistic relationships with the people in his family.
I love the way he is trying to remember his father's rules for being a gentleman. I laughed when he mentioned all the dead a Alvin Ho is this generation's Charlie Brown. I laughed when he mentioned all the dead authors who are "still living" in Concord, Massachusetts "which is hard to spell".
Growing up in Concord has given Alvin a strong love for the American Revolution, and Alvin's father is a fan of Shakespeare, so the occasional Shakespearean insult sneaks in. I listened to the audio book which was excellently narrated and gave Alvin the perfect voice. Mar 19, Casey McNally rated it really liked it.
I enjoyed this book. It was funny and super relatable. We are all scared of something, it just so happens that Alvin Ho is scared of As a reader, you get to learn about all the thoughts that go through Alvin's head as he encounters his fears and other day-to-day situation.
I enjoyed the first-person narrative that truly felt like you are speaking to a second-grade boy and explains emotions in a way that young children can actually relate to. A strength for this book is that it talks about the anxieties and fears that many young children face when they are young and just beginning school. Though it stands entirely on its own, Look has left plenty of room for future installments in the series. This book is about Alvin Ho, who is a Chinese-American second-grader with "so-so performance anxiety disorder. The supporting characters were quite good, and the book includes a decent amount of facts about Chinese history and culture.
I think this is a great book for any age, but an appropriate age level would probably be 3rd grade. Alvin takes his father's Johnny Astro toy to school without asking, because he hopes it will make him more popular. Does his plan work? Why or why not? Why did Flea make the Book of Alvin? What did it consist of? Mar 22, D. This is an adorable read. Comparison to Junie B. Jones are apt though Alvin's grammar is less perplexing. Nov 25, Astrid Vidal rated it really liked it. I like this book a lot.
I liked that the boy is scared of everything but sometimes he has to face his fears to help other in need. Mar 10, Mackenzie Fitzpatrick rated it really liked it Shelves: This book is written in the eyes of Alvin Ho, a second grade Chinese-American boy, who struggles with anxiety on a daily basis. With having an anxiety disorder, finding friendships and performing well in school does not come easy. The reader follows Alvin and his hardships when attending school and how he handles himself with trying to overcome his anxiety. I absolutely loved this book, therefore I was able to personally connect myself with Alvin because I had a lot of anxiety within my educatio This book is written in the eyes of Alvin Ho, a second grade Chinese-American boy, who struggles with anxiety on a daily basis.
I absolutely loved this book, therefore I was able to personally connect myself with Alvin because I had a lot of anxiety within my education k-8 experience. Not only is this book diverse in terms of Alvin being apart of the Chinese-American community, but him being open about his disorder brings in another group of people who identify with having a disorder. Thinking about my future classroom, I think it is important for my students to have opportunities to learn or connect themselves with various characteristics of life. Whether that be gender, religion, culture, illnesses or disorders, etc.
It is evident that children as young as second grade go through anxiety or troubles with making friends and this book is a great way for future or current educators like me talk about it within the classroom. Other than the content, I liked the writing style Look had with writing in the eyes of a second grader. Kindle Edition File Size: Customer reviews There are no customer reviews yet. Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a product review.
Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon. From the Kiddo's summer reading list.
This was in the middle of the series, but the Kiddo and I had a special interest in it because it involves a trip to China, including some places we've visited ourselves. Alvin, who has a long list of fears that at times become paralyzing anxiety, is on a harrowing adventure: A family trip to visit relatives in China. And things begin to go wrong before he's even boarded the plane. Eventually, Alvin finds friendship, and a real cultural experience away from the big, crowded tourist sites of Beijing, and he even works a bit of a Christmas miracle.
In places, this felt uncomfortable, as it seemed to be setting up the reader to laugh at Alvin's genuine serious anxiety. In other moments, it really was laugh-aloud funny without feeling mean-spirited at all. The last couple of chapters were the best, as Alvin sets some things right with his father, and overcomes some of his fears when he needs to the most. The supporting characters were quite good, and the book includes a decent amount of facts about Chinese history and culture. I enjoyed the interactions between the various family members, as well as with some of the people they meet in Beijing.
This was an instant hit with the Kiddo who laughed out loud through much of it. These books would be good for boys and girls. My 2nd grade son and I read this entire series together. Every night we looked forward to learning what predicaments the well-meaning Alvin got himself into. Alvin is smart, sweet, creative, funny and tries to be a gentleman. Alvin is also shy, anxious, and unable to speak in public.
My son says,"I like to read Alvin Ho. I think these are good books. I hope there will be more, like books 7, 8, 9 and 10! I think the next book should be 'Alvin Ho: Allergic to history, reading and other big stuff. Posting on behalf of 5yo reader! At school, he's so scared he can't even talk. But Flea, his brother, Calvin, and his psychotherapist all try to help him. Alvin does do a lot of interesting things in this book. He takes piano lessons, he uses mean Shakespearean words when he gets angry, and he even steals hid dad's Johnny Astro.
My favorite part of the book was when Alvin's dad let him fly his Johnny Astro. I also liked when Pinkie dared Alvin to jump off the top of the house. Alvin made an excuse so he could escape. My least favorite part of the book was when Alvin Ho's dad got very mad when Alvin stole Johnny Astro. To calm down, he played the piano like crazy! One fact that I learned from this book is that in Concord, Massachusetts where Alvin was born there was a war.