Module 6: Realistic Fiction for Younger Readers

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Look, L. (2008). Alvin ho: allergic to girls, school and other scary things. New York: Schwartz and Wade Books.

Summary

This book follows Alvin Ho, a second grade boy who is afraid of many things. The book begins with Alvin listing all of the things he is afraid of including elevators, substitute teachers and wasabi. As Alvin begins second grade he must face many of his fears and learn how to deal with them and eventually overcome them. Alvin's first person perspective and unique voice make this a funny book that many young readers can relate to as well as a book that adults would greatly enjoy for its frank and individual perspective.

My Thoughts

Within the first page of this book I was laughing. Look does a great job presenting life from the eyes of a unique and one of a kind second grader. Alvin's opinion and understanding of the world around him is not only funny, but also an excellent representation of any child that age. His relationships with his parents, grandparents and siblings is typical and believable. One of my favorite parts of the book was Alvin's explanation of the historical homes of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott in his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. This book and Alvin is a great work because it addresses typical worries of a seven year old and I think many elementary readers would not only find Alvin's adventures funny, but would also gain benefits from the things that Alvin experiences and learns from. The illustrations and graphics within the book also help draw the reader in and involve him/her more in the book. When reading this book I immediately thought that it would be a great read aloud either in the classroom setting or at home. It would be appreciated by a lot of kids because it is funny and easy to relate to.

Review

In the vignettes that make up what Kirkus called an "exuberantly funny slice of Alvin's life," Lenore Look portrays the world from the viewpoint of a wildly creative but undeniably neurotic second grader, captured in LeUyen Pham's simple yet expressive line drawings. The hero, a chatterbox at home, "[doesn't] make much noise whenever [he is] scared out of [his] wits," and therefore can't utter a sound at school, which introduces some comical predicaments. "Doing a boy book was really hard for me," says Look. "I had the germ of an idea for Alvin from observing a friend's son who suffered from selective mutism, but then I had to find my inner boy before I could write the story. I spent two years coaxing, bribing and trying to get that boy to come out, but he remained obdurate. Then a friend of mine, whose inner boy is never far, told me a funny story of how he'd put a baseball through a neighbor's window once. When his dad asked him about it, he denied all involvement. But unfortunately, the ball carried his autograph. Suddenly Alvin sprung to lift. It was magic." Even reluctant readers will find magic in these pages. (Ages 7-10). --. Kirkus Reviews, 2008.

Gr 2-4 --Second-grader Alvin Ho is determined to make friends, even though he is afraid of any number of things and can't talk-at all-in school. Episodic chapters feature events at home, at school, and in his Concord, MA, neighborhood. Everyday adventures include being left stranded by his siblings during stretching exercises that leave him upside down in a tree, being sent alone to the scary piano teacher's house, and deciding whether or not to hang out with the classroom bully. Although Look resists providing a tidy ending, readers will be sure that Alvin is on the right road when he surprises even himself by suddenly speaking to his psychotherapist. And they won't have to understand the Shakespearean curses that come out of his mouth to know that this time he has a good reason to be afraid. Whether they are fearful or brave, kids will smile at Alvin's scrapes and empathize with his concerns. Aspects of his Chinese-American background are seamlessly integrated into the story and add richness. The book is chock-full of well-placed illustrations. Martin Bridge, make room for Alvin Ho. Brautigam, F. School Library Journal, 2008.