Original Post 12/05/2010 Midway Monkey Madness

Midway Monkey Madness by Sarah Hines Stephens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
**arc from netgalley**

In the recent years graphic novels have really made a come back and I have done lots of research on how using graphic novels can help get those reluctant readers to read (particularly the boys). So I am always on the look out for easy to read graphic novels to use in my Second Grade Classroom. This is not what I would consider a true graphic novel or comic but a cross over which is text with graphic novel/comic elements.



  best for: First and Second Graders that can read pretty fluently. Third Graders and above may think the story too easy.

  Interest group: While the main characters are male (except one of the twins Jayna) I think that girls will like this too.

  What I liked:

•  The story is pretty easy to follow (problem and solution) and the words for the most part are easy to read. 
•  -The story has some good points like working together to solve a problem and to not give up if things don't work out right away. 
•  The text uses big bold words for sounds like in the old Batman cartoons and I think the kids will really like that. -The cast of characters in the front is great for the young readers who need more structure. 
•  I also liked the glossary and the little section of jokes. The illustrations are bright and colorful and the facial expressions on Beppo and Gleek are hilarious! 

  What I didn't like: I think in some places it is too basic. I would have liked a little more description (showing) rather than telling us what happened. Overall I think my students would love this book and I will definitely check out the others in this series.