Check out my Diary of a Penguin-napper Blog Tour stop where Sally Harris interviews her character Marty, plus there's a giveaway!
Diary of a Penguin-napper
Sally Harris
11/15/12
Frankly Books
Format: pb ARC
Source: from author for review
3 weeks ...2 boys ...1 little penguin ... What could possibly go wrong?When 11 (and a half) year old Marty is partnered up with Jessica on the overnight science trip, he thinks all of this dreams are about to come true. It's his big chance to impress the most beautiful girl in Year 7 (and probably the world) and he wouldn't miss it for anything. Only problem is: Marty can't afford to go on the overnight trip. Yet. Inspired by the urban myth that it is possible to steal a penguin from the zoo on a school visit, Diary of a Penguin-napper is a hilarious tale of growing up, bending the rules and how one big fuss can be caused by stealing just one little penguin.
THREE
WORDS: Super Cute & Fun
MY
REVIEW: With a title like Diary
of a Penguin-napper,
I just knew I was in for a wild and wacky ride when I began Sally
Harris' middle-grade novel. And I was very right. This quick read is
chock full of both the wild and the wacky!
Diary
of a Penguin-napper follows
the adventures of one eleven year old Marty, as he and his best
friend Turds set out to kidnap a penguin from the zoo. Marty is
paired up with his crush and the most beautiful girl in Year 7,
Jessica, for an overnight science trip, but there's one little
problem- Marty's mom can't afford the trip. Thus, the two young boys
resort to penguin-napping and selling, and hilarity and mayhem ensue.
At
a little over 150 pages, Diary
of a Penguin-napper is
a super quick, but super cute and fun read. Sally Harris has
concocted an imaginative and exciting tale that will have readers
laughing out loud and ready to put their own clever schemes into
motion.
Because
of the book's shorter length, delightful adventure, and funny
dialogue I easily devoured it in one sitting, not wanting to put it
down until I knew how Marty's story ended. Harris begins the story at
the end and works backwards, as Marty tells his tale to his mother
and the two cops who have shown up for the missing penguin. I like
this “starting at the end” structure because it really makes you
feel like you too, are being told a story. I felt like I was sitting
in that living room with Marty, his mom, and the cops, munching on
cookies and being delighted and amused by the unbelievable and
engrossing story.
And
what a zany, funny story it is! I love how outrageous and outlandish
the idea of kidnapping a penguin from a zoo sounds, yet at the same
time, like Marty and Turds, I too, totally believed it made perfect
sense and could be pulled off. It's the kind of scheme that you know
can't end well, but you must
see how it plays out. And this penguin-napping scheme definitely kept
me entertained and full of giggles. Harris writes with an
age-appropriate voice that is both cheeky and adorable.
Harris'
characters are a quirky, charming bunch. Marty narrates his own tale,
so we get to know him the best, and he's an endearing guy. I love
that Marty did everything in the name of love! Turds is the kind of
BFF one need for a penguin-napping scheme, he's loyal, handy, and not
afraid to get in trouble. And, of course, we have the lovely and
surprisingly sweet Jessica.
The
book ends on a satisfying and happy note that had me “Awww'ing”.
MY
FINAL THOUGHTS: Diary of a Penguin-napper is
an amusing, cute, and fun read that will entertain readers of all
ages, but I think younger MG readers will get the most enjoyment out
of it. An entertaining book for fans of wacky and funny adventures (and
penguins!) and the trouble-makers in all of us.
MY RATING
Purchase: Amazon / Smashwords
Now hop on over to my blog tour stop!
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