Large font, vivid illustrations on every page, and a simple plot make The Miniature World of Marvin and James a good fit for new readers looking to build their reading confidence.
The Miniature World of Marvin and James (Masterpiece Adventures, Book 1) by Elise Broach and illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Henry Holt and Co., 2014. 112 pages.
- Reading Level: Chapter Books (ages 4-8)
- Recommended for: Ages 4-8
Marvin, an artistic beetle, and James, a human boy, first appeared in Broach’s well-received middle grades novel Masterpiece and formed one of the many lovable, but unlikely friendships peppering the literary canon.
In this early chapter book, James is headed to the beach for a family vacation; Marvin is left at home, missing James and forced to play with his cousin Elaine. Adventure and near-disaster strike when Elaine and Marvin discover the electric pencil sharpener, an intriguing (but dangerous) hideout for small beetles. James brings home a safer hideout at the end of the story, demonstrating to Marvin that he didn’t forget about his small friend while he was away. Large font, vivid illustrations on every page, and a simple plot make this a good fit for new readers looking to build their reading confidence.
Considerations: none
Bottom Line: Large font, vivid illustrations on every page, and a simple plot make this a good fit for new readers looking to build their reading confidence.
Related Reading at Redeemed Reader:
- Book Review: *The Wild Robot is a a delightful story full of kindness and humility. A good read aloud for this age group.
- Book Review: Young animal lovers may also enjoy the zany Chicken Squad chapter book.
- Resource: Boys and Books, an article from Gladys Hunt in our “Hive”
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Review format updated 2024; originally published in 2014.
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