Martin Bridge: Sound the Alarm!

May 1, 2007
Gr 2-4-Martin Bridge returns in two more humorous adventures. In the first, he feels bad when an older boy teases him about liking cartoon superhero Zip Rideout. He must also adjust to a new babysitter, a junior-high student named Darla. Pleased to discover that she also likes Zip Rideout, he agrees to help her learn new dance steps from a demo they watch on the TV. When the other kids find out that he was actually dancing with "The" Darla McGonagle, his status is elevated in the eyes of the bully. Next, when Martin and a friend are accidentally locked in a toy store after closing, he finally gets the idea to flash a Morse-code signal out the window for help, but must first face his fear of the mannequins on display nearby. Martin is a likable character who inadvertently gets himself into frustrating situations and uses his resiliency and resourcefulness to find practical solutions to his problems. Although he learns life lessons, the book remains light and funny. Kellys charcoal sketches support the text and will help youngsters comprehend the story. Part of an engaging series that adds a much-needed boy protagonist to early chapter-book sections, this title will be popular with newly independent readers."Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.