Review: Alvin Ho: Allergic to Babies, Burglars, and Other Bumps in the Night by Lenore Look

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Babies, Burglars, and Other Bumps in the Night by Lenore Look. An Alvnin Ho Book.

Schwartz & Wade Books
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870330

Review: I never knew that a boy could be pregnant until I read the book Alvin Ho Allergic to Babies, Burglars, and Other Bumps in the Night, by Lenore Look. Apparently little boys can be sympathetically pregnant, especially when the expectant woman is his mom. Alvin is a second grade school boy who doesn't speak in public or school, but he sure has a lot to say. This new book in the Alvin Ho series is entertaining and includes a fun cast of characters including his family members, classmates, and teacher. The storyline keeps you involved even if you are not sure where it is headed!

In this installment of the series, Alvin is surprised to find out his Mom is pregnant. His older brother Calvin identifies his physical symptoms as pregnancy, and his teacher confirms that Alvin has sympathetic pregnancy. Alvin, thinking this is a real pregnancy, shares this with his friends who also believe they must be pregnant too since they share the same symptoms. His best friend, Flea, although he won't admit his best friend is a girl, helps him cope by giving him advice on what to expect with a new baby in the house. Encounters with his Grandpa (Gunggung), the Doctor, and a TV news crew add to the entertaining storyline. Without ruining the story, a string of burglaries, his Dad being out of town, and a report on the Haiti earthquake, all add to an interesting storyline that will keep you turning the pages until the end.

Alvin Ho allergic to Babies, Burglars, and Other Bumps in the Nightis intended for 6 to 10 year olds and that is an accurate assessment of the vocabulary and length. The author does a good job using current slang in the right way - not like a Mom or Dad might sound when saying ÒDa Bomb!Ó She does use phrases like "Super-duper" in a repetitive way that can be entertaining or irritating depending on the reader. What is amazing is how the author is able to read Alvin's thoughts like they probably really are in his head, but she uses vocabulary that keeps the reader entertained. After all who would want to read 177 pages of a second graders thoughts! Best of all the comic exaggeration is funny without going overboard. The pictures really help carry the story along and make the reading even more enjoyable and funny. The book goes along entertaining while also telling the story of Alvin dealing with such a significant life event as adjusting to a new sibling. I recommend this book for readers and I pursuing reading the other books in the series.

Review written by David (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Alvin Ho: Allergic to Babies, Burglars, and Other Bumps in the Night for this review.

Have you read Alvin Ho: Allergic to Babies, Burglars, and Other Bumps in the Night? How would you rate it?