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Marcus Makes a Movie — Review

rosihollinbeck

Thought for the Day:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.’
~ Harriet Tubman ~

Gifts for My Writer Friends:

I always learn something interesting and helpful when I listen to other writers. HERE you can find Michael Morpugo’s Rules for Writing. Enjoy!

Ryan Lanz has a good article HERE on A Writer’s Path with 6 Unique Ways to Think Up Story Ideas.

If setting is ever a problem for you, Lori Freeland can help with that. See her article HERE on Writers in the Storm titled Location. Location. Location: Bring Your Book To Life, Part II.

Not much to report this week except that — Hello! The World Series is on! And I am watching a great game. So puns it will be this week. I hope you like these. I just can’t get enough puns. And a Halloween cartoon. I hope you have a great Halloween.

I was wondering why the ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

I think hitchhikers are really friendly, I have passed five in the last hour and they all gave me a thumbs up.

Did you hear about the crossed-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?

Broken pencils are pointless.

I tried to order some tennis balls online last night but the site kept crashing. They must have had a problem with their server.

I tried to catch some fog, but I mist.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

I dropped out of communism class due to lousy Marx.

All the toilets in New York’s police stations. The police have nothing to go on.

A cartoonist was found dead in his home. Details are sketchy.

Where do bad rainbows go? Prism. It’s a light sentence.

Last week I offered a copy of Kyle’s Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong to one of you. This week’s winner is Nancy. Congratulations, Nancy! I will get your book out to you soon. No giveaway this week, but I should have one next week, so keep reading, please.

When I was scrolling through the list of available books for the San Francisco Book Review a while back, the name Kevin Hart caught my eye. I’m not a big fan of celebrity books. I think they get a pass on all the hard work other authors put into their writing, and most of them aren’t all that and a bag of chips, but I still had to see what he had come up with. Also, I think Kevin Hart is one of the funniest people on the planet, and I had no idea he had written a kids’ book. The book was edited by Geoff Rodkey, so that that can’t hurt. He is a really funny guy, too, and an excellent writer. The book. Marcus Makes a Movie, does not disappoint. I thought about it, and I have to say, I think middle-graders are the perfect audience for Hart’s brand of humor. So glad I took a chance. Here is the review I wrote for SFBR.

Kevin Hart

Marcus thinks middle school is bad enough, but his dad insists Marcus sign up for the after-school program, Afternoon Adventures. His dad works long hours, and since Marcus’s mother died, his dad wants Marcus to do more than sitting and playing video games. Marcus just wants to draw his comics about his superhero, Toothpick, but the art class is doing origami. He finds out they have a filmmaking class and that sounds good. But Marcus discovers making a movie isn’t a simple thing. It takes teamwork, and the one person he really needs on his team is Sierra, a bossy know-it-all girl. But if his movie is going to be made, Marcus needs to put in the work and swallow his pride.

Authors Kevin Hart and Geoff Rodkey are both really funny guys, and this book showcases their quick wits and writing chops. Kids will love the wacky characters, the twists and turns the story takes, and the wild ride Marcus takes to find his truth. Fun, cartoony illustrations by David Cooper complete this terrific middle-grade novel. This will be a big hit with young readers and will pull even reluctant readers through to the end.

I have no giveaway this week since I will donate the nice hardback copy I received. Don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE. He always has links to several middle-grade reviews, and he writes reviews on his own blog two or three times a week. See you here soon!

Published by rosihollinbeck

19 thoughts on “Marcus Makes a Movie — Review”

  1. Sounds like Kevin Hart has a winner with his MG novel! I really enjoyed your review. And, I know readers will love his humor and the cartoon-like illustrations. Sounds like a perfect match. I know some excellent celebrity authors, who really work at their craft! And, I know how they feel at conferences where authors say unkind things about them. I guess I see the other side too.

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    1. I’m sure there are some celebrity authors who do work very hard at their craft, but they don’t have to break through the same barriers the rest of us do. Some of their books are really good, and some not so much. Yes, we do need to look at both sides. This one is certainly worth a look. Thanks for always reading and commenting. I do appreciate it.

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  5. Another round of great links! It makes my Monday to get a little inspiration and motivation from reading each.
    I also think Kevin Hart is hilarious and it sounds like the story line for this one follows that mode. Publishers realize having a well known name as an author will help increase sales—given it’s the the adults who make a purchase based on author recognition. Regardless, I’d like to give this a read. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.

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    1. I’m so pleased when people say they like the links. It keeps me working to find good ones. This book is worth your time. Kids will love it. Thanks for always reading and commenting. I appreciate it.

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  6. I’m always wary of celebrity books since I’m never sure if said celebrity actually wrote the book. That said, I have enjoyed some books like this. For example: the Henry Winkler/Lin Oliver books. Maybe because they were being upfront with Oliver’s involvement.

    I will check this one out.

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  8. This sounds like a fun read, and I imagine kids will really enjoy it! I haven’t read a book that’s genuinely funny in quite a while, but those are always a hit with reluctant readers, like you say.

    I love the meme, the puns (especially the last one), and the quote! And I hope you enjoy the World Series—that must be a lot of fun to watch! Thanks so much for the wonderful post, as always!

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