Book Review: ALVIN HO: Allergic to Birthday Parties, Science Projects and Other Man-Made Catastrophes by Lenore Look

ALVIN HO: Allergic to Birthday Parties, Science Projects and Other Man-Made Catastrophes
by Lenore Look
Alvin Ho

A Schwartz & Wade Books
ISBN-10: 0-375-86335-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86335-6
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $15.99

Review: Caution: Paranoia reigns in Alvin Ho' life. This little boy's world is about to be turned upside-down. It's amazing to know what goes on in Alvin's head as he tries to solve his problems. The author of this book is Lenore Look. Alvin Hois about eight years old. This book falls in the comedy category. This is the third book in the Alvin Ho series.

A second grade boy named Alvin Ho must overcome his fear of all things and figure out a way to get his favorite deluxe Indian Chief outfit. Alvin is already a very nervous boy, so when he gets an invitation to a girl's birthday party, he gets himself into a big problem. Alvin's classmate, Bea, invites him to her birthday party-, and Alvin has never been to a girl's birthday party, so he's not sure what to do. So he goes to his cousin, Bucky, for advice. Bucky explains to Alvin how to act at a girl's party, but Alvin still doesn't feel ready. Besides this problem, Alvin must also figure out a way to get a most amazing deluxe Indian Chief outfit, which he wants to wear to Hobson's birthday party. Hobson is a boy in Alvin's class who is having his birthday party at the same time as Bea's. Suddenly, Alvin is faced with the biggest decision, should he go to Bea's birthday party or should he go to Hobson's party?

Alvin Ho is a fun-filled adventure with laughs. The book is written from a second grade boy's point of view, which makes it funny because they think differently. It is easy to understand how Alvin feels because we've all been second graders before. We have also faced tough decisions like Alvin has. I love how Alvin's character is a precocious, yet brave child. Readers are hooked on to the story right from the beginning. The plot relates to a second grade boy because that is who Alvin is and it makes sense to do it like that. I love the way that the author describes what Alvin is thinking. She makes it seem so realistic and cute. The characters in this story are interesting and very life-like, but in a little kid point of view. This book is a great book for any fun-loving people who like books with a lot of laughs.

Review written by Savannah (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of ALVIN HO: Allergic to Birthday Parties, Science Projects and Other Man-Made Catastrophes for this review.

Have you read ALVIN HO: Allergic to Birthday Parties, Science Projects and Other Man-Made Catastrophes? How would you rate it?