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Martin Bridge #5
Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit!
Eight-year-old Martin Bridge returns for more slice-of-life adventures in the fifth book in this widely acclaimed chapter-book series. In the first story, Martin fumes every time classmate Harper tells one of his tall tales. Then when the fibber's astronaut costume for the parade is every bit as spectacular as he bragged it would be -- and flashier than Martin's -- our hero feels as fizzled out as a misfired rocket booster. Martin sure doesn't like Harper much. Will Martin step in and help when Harper gets in trouble, or let him get what he deserves? In the second story, when Martin demonstrates a "moonwalk" worthy of his favorite cartoon superhero, Zip Rideout, a nasty fall lands him in the hospital for stitches. He begins to wonder why Zip never gets so much as a scratch in all his perilous adventures. Has Martin's high-flying opinion of Zip Rideout landed back on earth with a painful thud? Join Martin Bridge as he hurtles in and out of orbit with two new stories and an out-of-this-world activity to inspire young artists.
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 18, 2014
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Fiction)
Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level: Approximately Level N
Summary: In the first story, Martin Bridge becomes frustrated with Harper, a classmate who keeps making wild exaggerations about his own life. In the second story, Martin tries acting like the hero of his favorite comic book and ends up with a bad injury.
Why I Liked/Disliked the Book: This book is listed as a chapter book for young readers, but may be confusing to many people because it is actually two separate stories. While both stories have good plots, I found the main character a little bit annoying. In both stories, I felt like Martin was overly frustrated with other characters. I also think this book would be difficult for most young readers (although it is a Lexile Level 700, approximately a Level N). For example, on just one page in the book the words "ludicrous" "fabrication" and "cumbersome" appeared which would difficult for young readers to decode and/or understand.
What This Book Made Me Think About: Conflict and character. How the character in a story reacts to a conflict shows you a lot about that character (including their flaws). I just didn't enjoy reading about the flaws of Martin Bridge's character in how he reacted to his conflicts.
Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level: Approximately Level N
Summary: In the first story, Martin Bridge becomes frustrated with Harper, a classmate who keeps making wild exaggerations about his own life. In the second story, Martin tries acting like the hero of his favorite comic book and ends up with a bad injury.
Why I Liked/Disliked the Book: This book is listed as a chapter book for young readers, but may be confusing to many people because it is actually two separate stories. While both stories have good plots, I found the main character a little bit annoying. In both stories, I felt like Martin was overly frustrated with other characters. I also think this book would be difficult for most young readers (although it is a Lexile Level 700, approximately a Level N). For example, on just one page in the book the words "ludicrous" "fabrication" and "cumbersome" appeared which would difficult for young readers to decode and/or understand.
What This Book Made Me Think About: Conflict and character. How the character in a story reacts to a conflict shows you a lot about that character (including their flaws). I just didn't enjoy reading about the flaws of Martin Bridge's character in how he reacted to his conflicts.
June 24, 2008
In the first of two stories Martin struggles with how to respond to Harper, an exaggerating braggart in his classroom. In the second story Martin is injured while pretending to be Zip Rideout, Space Cadet, and becomes disillusioned with his TV hero, who never seems to get hurt on the show.
Kerrin's characterization is as realistic and strong as ever, with patient and loving adults and diversity without stereotypes. Kelly's gray-scale illustrations evoke emotion and energy. This is a rock-solid series for the 2nd & 3rd grade set.
Kerrin's characterization is as realistic and strong as ever, with patient and loving adults and diversity without stereotypes. Kelly's gray-scale illustrations evoke emotion and energy. This is a rock-solid series for the 2nd & 3rd grade set.
April 23, 2015
I didn't realize when I picked this book up that there were two short stories in the book. I assumed it was one story. the first story was interesting, but I feel as if it ended without being resolved. This makes me not very excited about it. the topics are perfect for young beginning chapter book readers, and I think that it would interest my third graders, but it's not a book I'm going to push on them.
November 18, 2013
Eh, it was just okay. Igot tge feeling I was missing some of the back story as this was the first Martin Bridge book I've read. It was a quick read, so beginner readers and reluctant readers might enjoy it,
January 16, 2014
My almost-five-year-old boy did not particularly like Martin or his friends. He wished the book had been divided into chapters. I appreciated the fact that there were so many illustrations and that the vocabulary was not dumbed down.
February 18, 2010
Fantastic vocabulary in this book! A good read to share with your children or students for usefully word definitions.
February 9, 2015
3 stories in 1 book!Get it now
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews