Review: Marty McGuire by Kate Messner

 

Marty McGuire is not your typical girly girl.  She likes frogs and hates pink fluffy dresses.  But, what's a tomboy to do when she's cast as the princess in the class play?  

Here is the summary from Goodreads:

Marty McGuire would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty's absolutely, positively sure that there's been a huge mistake. But after a special lesson in the art of improvisation, Marty comes up with her OWN plan to IMPROVE the play: Why use stuffed-animal frog onstage when a live one would be so much better? In the end, Marty's one-of-a-kind performance makes for an unforgettable show. Maybe Marty CAN live happily ever after, after all!

I loved Marty's spunk and personality.  She's a spitfire, and possibly a bit of a handful, but she has a good heart.  She's the kid in your class that might drive you nuts, but you can't help but love.  She also goes through typical girl situations, such as losing a best friend to the popular girl and trying to deal with the popular girly-girl in general.  Marty does all that, and learns to combine her tomboy sensibility with that of a princess. 

The story itself was pretty easy to follow, and when I did a quick Fry Readability assessment, it came out about a 2nd grade level.  Scholastic.com book wizard has it listed at grades 3-5 (please note that these are just estimates.  If you have a first or second grader who is a reader and would enjoy this, by all means, let them read it.  And on the flip side, if you have a 5th grader who is just starting to get into chapter books, then let them read it too!) 

It didn't seem like a "baby" book.  It was a chapter book, but had some pictures.  The type was also larger than higher grades chapter books.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that its a easier read disguised as a big bad chapter book. 

I have some 4th and 5th grade girls that this story would be perfect for.  I can't wait to share this book with my class.

 

Note:  I read this book as it was on the early chapter book list for the Cybils.  This review reflects my opinions only, and not that of the committee/judging panel.