Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things
It’s hard not to fall in love with Alvin, whatever your age or personality. He is both mischievous and a good guy; shy and stubborn; imaginative and down-to-earth. Your child may not see themselves in Alvin but they will definitely wish they were friends with him!
- Contemporary fiction
- Novels
- Series
- 7-10
- Adventures
- Family
- Feelings
- Friendship
- School
- Self-discovery
Buy this Book:
SYNOPSIS
Alvin is a Chinese-American superhero named Firecracker Man living in Concord, Massachusetts. Alvin is also deathly afraid of speaking up in school. As second grade begins, Alvin negotiates:
making friends while being extremely shy;
becoming the reluctant protégé of a girl (“ugh”) with redeemable qualities – an eye patch and one longer leg;
taking piano lessons at the house of a “real witch”;
telling his nosy therapist off in olde English;
joining a gang and getting chicken pox;
…and so much more!
(1st in a 6-book series)
PERFECT AGE 7 – 10
THEMES
- Overcoming fear of speaking up, learning to be social
- Respecting friends, apologizing when being hurtful
- Appreciating family members’ perspectives and spending time with family
- Challenges of growing up
We love
- Witnessing the daily emotions of a sensitive and hilarious young boy is bound to make readers relate, feel empathy or both
- Flea is fearless, strongminded, and righteous – who wouldn’t want to be her protégé and best friend?
- The book awesomely incorporates into the narrative both many of New England’s rich historic landmarks and beautiful tidbits from Alvin’s Chinese heritage
WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):
- (language, big / sensitive topics, outdated concepts):
- Alvin’s stories offer up opportunities to speak to your children about letting classmates copy school work and succumbing to peer pressure – even when such actions help us make friends
CONVERSATION STARTERS
- What might be some reasons Alvin got angry at Flea and called her a “stupid girl” when she visited his house?
- What’s the big deal with Alvin letting Pinky and the other boys copy his answers in math class?
- What are some tricks you use when you feel nervous about new places or people? How do they work for you?
- Let’s learn more about the real Minutemen and Redcoats!
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