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Marvin Redpost #4
Marvin Redpost : Alone in His Teacher's House
Marvin is pleased when his teacher asks him to take care of her dog while she's away, but he soon finds that there's more pressure involved than he likes.
96 pages, Library Binding
First published February 1, 1994
86 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Louis Sachar
96 books4,718 followersLouis Sachar (pronounced Sacker), born March 20, 1954, is an American author of children's books.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 2, 2012
This is the fourth book in the Marvin Redpost series. It is a dramatic tale that shows Marvin being responsible for taking care of his teacher's dog while she is away and his experiences with the substitute teacher.
I appreciated that this book gave me an opportunity to talk with our girls about the fact that there will be teachers, bosses, and coworkers who just don't like them or they won't like. And Marvin seemed to be on the substitute's bad side no matter what he did. He handled it well and I advised our girls that they needed to be as hard-working and respectful as they could and to realize that the relationship would likely end fairly quickly.
I didn't like that the teacher took Marvin to her house alone in her car and gave him such a big responsibility, which obviously makes him a target for his classmates, as a 'teacher's pet.' Marvin once again handles it well, but my husband was sure to caution our girls never to get in a teacher's car, no doubt thinking of a potential for abuse.
Overall, I thought this was a much more serious and dramatic story than the first three books in the series. We enjoyed reading this story together and will see if we can borrow more of the books in this series from our local library.
I appreciated that this book gave me an opportunity to talk with our girls about the fact that there will be teachers, bosses, and coworkers who just don't like them or they won't like. And Marvin seemed to be on the substitute's bad side no matter what he did. He handled it well and I advised our girls that they needed to be as hard-working and respectful as they could and to realize that the relationship would likely end fairly quickly.
I didn't like that the teacher took Marvin to her house alone in her car and gave him such a big responsibility, which obviously makes him a target for his classmates, as a 'teacher's pet.' Marvin once again handles it well, but my husband was sure to caution our girls never to get in a teacher's car, no doubt thinking of a potential for abuse.
Overall, I thought this was a much more serious and dramatic story than the first three books in the series. We enjoyed reading this story together and will see if we can borrow more of the books in this series from our local library.
January 19, 2018
"Hey, Everybody!" Nick shouted. "I have the key to Mrs. North's house. Kids came running from all directions.
"Marvin was alone in her house!"
Interesting look at how students perceive teachers and what teachers do when not teaching.
Love of dogs also and how many people are afraid of them.
Also, the love and hate for a substitute teacher.
"Marvin was alone in her house!"
Interesting look at how students perceive teachers and what teachers do when not teaching.
Love of dogs also and how many people are afraid of them.
Also, the love and hate for a substitute teacher.
June 29, 2012
I did like this one a bit better than "Kidnapped at Birth". It's a little more realistic and you can't help but feel sorry for Marvin when he deals with the death of his teacher's dog. Plus, c'mon, which one of us hasn't been curious about our teacher's life outside the classroom?
December 14, 2024
I absolutely loved this book; it was the best book I have ever read by far. I really enjoyed it.
This book is about how a kid named Marvin is going to dog-sit for his teacher, Mrs. North, while she is on her relaxing vacation.
I really loved this book because you are with the character, Marvin. Marvin in the book is brave, excellent, and obedient. I liked the writing of the book; it was just very, very excellent.
This book is about how a kid named Marvin is going to dog-sit for his teacher, Mrs. North, while she is on her relaxing vacation.
I really loved this book because you are with the character, Marvin. Marvin in the book is brave, excellent, and obedient. I liked the writing of the book; it was just very, very excellent.
February 17, 2022
Re-reading one of my favorite childhood Authors book series. I still adore the Marvin Repost books! :)
December 19, 2016
I'd forgotten all about Marvin Redpost before discovering one of the libraries I belong to had some e-books of the series. I was a few years beyond the intended audience for this book when it was published in 1994, so I didn't read it during childhood, but I remember my younger sister reading the series and liking it. I decided Alone in His Teacher's House qualifies as "Old School" since it is now almost 20 years old, even if it is still in print and now available for Kindle.
Marvin is an average third-grader who faces problems relevant to the lives of mot kids. In Alone in His Teacher's House, the fourth book of the series, he's given the important job of caring for his teacher's old, beloved dog while she goes on vacation. He will earn twenty-five dollars all together, but only if there are no problems. Quickly things start to fall apart when the dog refuses to eat, and then, one day, just won't wake up. On top of that, the substitute teacher has him pegged as a hooligan, and his friends are convinced his real teacher will never forgive him when she returns.
It's hard to believe that an author like Louis Sachar, who often writes such off-the-wall stories, is also the author of these short, sweet tales of a bewildered little boy just trying to make his way through the world. Marvin is a real underdog sort of character, and the writing in this book is so gentle and easy to take in, it seems impossible that the same imagination created Mrs. Gorf and Stanley Yelnats.
The chapters - and indeed the entire book- are very short, which is sure to ease any nerves new readers might have about taking on a chapter book. Personalities come alive through dialogue, and illustrations give important visual cues to help readers decode certain key scenes. Marvin's friends ring very true, even if Marvin sometimes comes across as a bit too well-behaved, and even the teacher seems to have a bit of personality beyond just educator and disciplinarian. Perhaps the only thing that didn't really seem authentic was a teacher asking one of her students to care for her pet. I don't think even in my small town growing up that teachers felt that close to their students. But I also don't think it needed to be completely plausible to work in this story. Lots of kids are interested about what their teachers' home lives are like, and this book indulges the fantasies kids have about that and humanizes their teachers as people with feelings and relationships of their own outside of the classroom. Kids will also like the idea of Marvin taking on a job and earning his own money.
Pretty much nothing dates this book to the early 90s, which is probably a big part of why it is still available. Aside from some toilet humor, the story is also likely to satisfy sensitive parents looking for interesting but wholesome books for their new chapter book reader. Kids as young as five can enjoy hearing this story read aloud, and second- and third-graders will take great pride in reading it on their own.
Recommend this and other titles in the Marvin Redpost series to fans of Alvin Ho, Martin Bridge, Ready Freddy, Jake Drake, and Andy Shane.
Marvin is an average third-grader who faces problems relevant to the lives of mot kids. In Alone in His Teacher's House, the fourth book of the series, he's given the important job of caring for his teacher's old, beloved dog while she goes on vacation. He will earn twenty-five dollars all together, but only if there are no problems. Quickly things start to fall apart when the dog refuses to eat, and then, one day, just won't wake up. On top of that, the substitute teacher has him pegged as a hooligan, and his friends are convinced his real teacher will never forgive him when she returns.
It's hard to believe that an author like Louis Sachar, who often writes such off-the-wall stories, is also the author of these short, sweet tales of a bewildered little boy just trying to make his way through the world. Marvin is a real underdog sort of character, and the writing in this book is so gentle and easy to take in, it seems impossible that the same imagination created Mrs. Gorf and Stanley Yelnats.
The chapters - and indeed the entire book- are very short, which is sure to ease any nerves new readers might have about taking on a chapter book. Personalities come alive through dialogue, and illustrations give important visual cues to help readers decode certain key scenes. Marvin's friends ring very true, even if Marvin sometimes comes across as a bit too well-behaved, and even the teacher seems to have a bit of personality beyond just educator and disciplinarian. Perhaps the only thing that didn't really seem authentic was a teacher asking one of her students to care for her pet. I don't think even in my small town growing up that teachers felt that close to their students. But I also don't think it needed to be completely plausible to work in this story. Lots of kids are interested about what their teachers' home lives are like, and this book indulges the fantasies kids have about that and humanizes their teachers as people with feelings and relationships of their own outside of the classroom. Kids will also like the idea of Marvin taking on a job and earning his own money.
Pretty much nothing dates this book to the early 90s, which is probably a big part of why it is still available. Aside from some toilet humor, the story is also likely to satisfy sensitive parents looking for interesting but wholesome books for their new chapter book reader. Kids as young as five can enjoy hearing this story read aloud, and second- and third-graders will take great pride in reading it on their own.
Recommend this and other titles in the Marvin Redpost series to fans of Alvin Ho, Martin Bridge, Ready Freddy, Jake Drake, and Andy Shane.
January 4, 2009
When Marvin's teacher, Mrs. North takes a one week vacation, his teacher chooses him to take care of her dog, Waldo while she was gone. She chose him specifically because he was very responsible. Marvin's friends, Nick and Stuart thought that he was the most unluckiest person in the whole world. Mrs. North was planning to pay Marvin three dollars a day and also a four dollar bonus if nothing goes wrong. One day, when Marvin entered Mrs. North's house, he could not find Waldo. Eventually Marvin found Waldo lying under Mrs. North's bed. Marvin immediately called a vet. The vet informed Marvin that Waldo is dead. When Mrs. North's one week vacation was over and Marvin was back at school, they both had a talk in the hallway when school began. Mrs. North told Marvin that Waldo was an old dog. So she sort of anticipated there was something that was going to wrong. She still paid Marvin the twenty-one dollars plus the four dollar bonus. Then his friends told him that he was the luckiest person in the world.
March 1, 2012
I am a BIG fan of Louis Sachar! Every book of his that I have picked up has been wonderful. This is a short chapter book that would probably be appropriate for 2nd or 3rd grade students. The story is simple and predictable which is great for beginning readers. Marvin is asked by his teacher to dogsit while she is away for a week. The dog, Waldo, is very old. Marvin takes great care of Waldo. He even calls the vet when he notices that Waldo hadn't eaten since his teacher had left. Marvin gives Waldo liver to get him to eat; Waldo eats the liver and all of his dog food. But Waldo is very old and even with Marvin's best efforts Waldo passes away. Marvin is afraid that his teacher is going to be mad at him, but she, of course, is not. There is, of course, slightly more to the story. Many of Marvin's classmates are jealous that the teacher had asked Marvin so conflict exists between Marvin and his classmates, as well as between Marvin and the substitute. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 8, 2020Target Audience: 7-10
Marvin, a well-behaved and kind boy is asked by his teacher to watch her dog while she is away for the week. However, this new responsibility causes a fair amount of stress for poor Marvin. Not only does he have to make sure to feed and walk the dog, but he also has to keep track of the precious key. On top of his new responsibilities, Marvin now has to deal with the resentment of his friends who don’t understand why he won’t let them play around in their teacher’s house while she is gone. This lighthearted read will certainly get the reader supporting Marvin throughout the story, especially when the substitute teacher chooses to pick on Marvin. This book is especially surprising with how it ends. Without giving away any spoilers, this book takes an unexpected route to its ending. This book is a quick and fun read for children that will provide laughs as well as insight into responsibility and commitment. A good read!
Marvin, a well-behaved and kind boy is asked by his teacher to watch her dog while she is away for the week. However, this new responsibility causes a fair amount of stress for poor Marvin. Not only does he have to make sure to feed and walk the dog, but he also has to keep track of the precious key. On top of his new responsibilities, Marvin now has to deal with the resentment of his friends who don’t understand why he won’t let them play around in their teacher’s house while she is gone. This lighthearted read will certainly get the reader supporting Marvin throughout the story, especially when the substitute teacher chooses to pick on Marvin. This book is especially surprising with how it ends. Without giving away any spoilers, this book takes an unexpected route to its ending. This book is a quick and fun read for children that will provide laughs as well as insight into responsibility and commitment. A good read!
December 28, 2007
Apart from the Wayside School series, Louis Sachar wrote the Marvin Redpost chronicles, which I found the former is more attractive.
Marvin Redpost is asked to look after an old puppy called Waldo in Mrs. North's house for five days. It's good to earn extra pocket money for watching the dog.
However the old dog died at last and he's just there all by himself. It looked like the teacher will never speaks to him again when her vocation is over. Yet it turns out that the teacher is very understanding and she thanks Marvin for being such a responsible kid.
I don't think i know what to do if i were him. Teachers are always horribly respectable and ridiculously lawful. The author wants to show that teachers are human too.
The book is a light childish read to pass a bit of time.
Marvin Redpost is asked to look after an old puppy called Waldo in Mrs. North's house for five days. It's good to earn extra pocket money for watching the dog.
However the old dog died at last and he's just there all by himself. It looked like the teacher will never speaks to him again when her vocation is over. Yet it turns out that the teacher is very understanding and she thanks Marvin for being such a responsible kid.
I don't think i know what to do if i were him. Teachers are always horribly respectable and ridiculously lawful. The author wants to show that teachers are human too.
The book is a light childish read to pass a bit of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2017
This is the fourth Marvin Redpost, but the only one I have read. The series is really charming.
Marvin's teacher has asked him to take care of her elderly dog while she is out-of-town. Marvin is full of pride at this request. He tells his friends and they, of course, want to go over and see the teacher's house. The boys are at the age where they don't see a teacher as a human being. She is almost an alien to them. Indeed, Marvin himself is shocked to see how normal his teacher's home actually is.
Things get tense when the elderly dog gets ill. Marvin fears his teacher will hate him because he wasn't able to keep the dog healthy. She does not and Marvin learns many lessons from his job of dog sitting.
Marvin's teacher has asked him to take care of her elderly dog while she is out-of-town. Marvin is full of pride at this request. He tells his friends and they, of course, want to go over and see the teacher's house. The boys are at the age where they don't see a teacher as a human being. She is almost an alien to them. Indeed, Marvin himself is shocked to see how normal his teacher's home actually is.
Things get tense when the elderly dog gets ill. Marvin fears his teacher will hate him because he wasn't able to keep the dog healthy. She does not and Marvin learns many lessons from his job of dog sitting.
November 25, 2017
Third-grade student, Marvin Redpost, is asked to take care of his teacher’s dog while she Is away for a week. Given the responsibility of tending Waldo the dog, and collecting the mail, Marvin is excited to make up to $25.00, if he is responsible and does and good job for his teacher. Marvin feels the jealousy of his classmates but follows through with his commitment, even when confronted with an unthinkable situation. A transitional reading book, the story has the plot and conclusion to keep an early reader interested and satisfied to continue reading more of the Marvin Redpost series. The few illustrations in black pencil help connect the reader to the story.
Sachar, L., (1994). Marvin Redpost: Alone in his teacher’s house. New York: Random House Children’s Books.
Sachar, L., (1994). Marvin Redpost: Alone in his teacher’s house. New York: Random House Children’s Books.
May 27, 2016
Even though this would be considered "old school" by my students, I thought it was phenomenal and believe they would enjoy it as well. The premise of a student going into a teacher's house is mysterious even today, and the plot twist in the middle (which literally made my gasp out loud) would hook any reader. Deep conversations could be had with students around many issues mentioned in this book (death, responsibility, school, friendship, etc.). It would also be interesting to discuss what Marvin could have done today with the technology that surrounds us. Really enjoyed this and would highly recommend it to my second graders. I am interested in reading others in this series.
April 26, 2012
I found that, although some parts of this book were entertaining, it presented some very inappropriate scenes. The idea of the teacher highering a student to look after her dog can be given poetic licence but the events after seem a little odd. Such as, after he has looked after the dog and it has died, the teacher takes Marvin out for lunch, alone. Why is this neccassary in a book? I would not be recommending this book yet although I have not read the previous books in the series so maybe they will shed some light on the whole bizzare set up of this boy's life.
January 1, 2011
This book is a book that easy to read. It is about Marvin's teacher asks him to take care her dog while she is not here, she will pay for her. However, the dog is sick and died, Marvin worries her teacher will mad at him, so he writes a letter to her. I think the main character is a good example for every children. A good children should be honest, and Marvin does it. He does his responsibility to tell her teacher her dog is died. I think if you can be honest, and people will not mad at you.
December 17, 2013
Marvin's teacher Mrs. North asks Marvin to take care of her dog Waldo while she was on vacation. She tells him he will get $3 a day plus an extra $4 if nothing goes wrong. Well, everything goes fine until the dog dies. When Mrs. North came back, she told Marvin that Waldo was 17 years old. So she gave him his reward including the extra $4.
Title: Marvin Redpost Alone in His Teacher's House
Author: Louis Sachar
Published: 1994
Best Ratings: 2, 3, 4, 5
My Rating: 4.00
avg rating: 3.70
Title: Marvin Redpost Alone in His Teacher's House
Author: Louis Sachar
Published: 1994
Best Ratings: 2, 3, 4, 5
My Rating: 4.00
avg rating: 3.70
November 9, 2020
Maybe my favorite in the series. Or at least, the one that feels like the purest distillation of what the series does so well, i.e., taking an exceedingly simple premise and wringing from it all kinds of humor and complex nine-year-old emotion. This one is about young Marvin Redpost dogsitting for his teacher. It becomes a sweet, earnest trek through guilt, shock, mortality, dread, gratitude, and joy. It’s also laugh out loud funny. What more could you ask for?
November 22, 2011
This was an awesome book !!! I totally love it !!!! It was one of the best book in the entire world. :)It talked about Marvin Redpost who takes care of a very special dog also very,very old. His teacher goes to a field trip and let him take care of her dog.At the end the old dog gets sick an dies but the teacher didnt get mad at Marvin.:)
July 18, 2013
Definitely not what I expected. I imagined a fun romp around the teacher's house. Well, Marvin has been given the task of taking care of the teacher's dog while she is on vacation and the dog is really really really old......well, you can guess the rest.
I was hoping Sachar would not go there, but he did.
I was hoping Sachar would not go there, but he did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2013
This funny story will engage third and fourth graders with the concept of a student being alone in his teachers house, taking are of her pet while she is away. Marvin, being a responsible young man, wants to do a good job. Obstacles present themselves in humorous fashion, and Marvin gains the knowledge that his teacher is, in fact, a person, too.
April 26, 2018
Marvin's teacher is leaving for a week, and asks him to dog sit for her while she is gone! He thinks he is the luckiest kid ever, trying hard not to mess up so he can get his bonus money. Everything starts off fine, until Waldo the dog isn't eating his food. Will everything be okay? Or will Waldo die while Marvin's teacher is gone?
August 19, 2018
Marvin Red post is going to babysit his teachers dog he is super excited and is ready but then when the teacher goes for vacation. The dogs stop eating and the dog is not well Marvin even tastes liver so the dog will eat it but nothing works ....What will happen!?
September 10, 2012
series, Level L
May 8, 2017
I like Marvin, but I think his friends are awful.
March 13, 2018
A great book for 2nd graders. I was surprised at the amount of nuance in the writing.
Level M
Level M
January 19, 2020
Well I did not see the plot going that way. This book just goes to show how Sachar is at making you feel a lot of emotion and empathy in such a short time.
August 31, 2020
I love everything by Sachar, but he really shines in his books for older children. These are worth reading absolutely, but not amazing.
February 7, 2021
It was sad that the dog died.
December 9, 2023
My daughter thought it was awesome that his teacher-trusted him with such an important job. He got to work and make money. He took his job seriously. The teacher does call and get permission to take him to her house after she explains the job offer he accepted from her. The death of the dog had children in my daughter's third grade class sobbing. She said it bothered her and she was trying not to cry. I would argue that it wasn't too traumatic to read as an adult. He walks in and finds the dog, calls the vet, and the dog is removed. Nothing too graphic. I don't know, I feel that for kids struggling with the recent death of a pet or kids struggling with the concept of death in general, this book may be way too sad and it is triggering. My daughter had a hard time shaking the image she had in her head at bedtime. I guess I am dense because I struggle to pull the value out of this author's books. If they're not twaddle, convince me.
March 16, 2018
I read one of the Marvin Redpost books to my son and we decided we should read all of them before we outgrow them. My son is 11. We first read the one about Marvin Redpost meeting and wanting to someday be the president of the United States. That book was better than this one, although we did NOT like how Marvin's parents treated him. It was awful. This book was kind of awful because it's just stinking sad, and everyone was mean to Marvin except for his teacher. Wowsa. But I guess we'll read the other ones, because they all came in from the library's consortium today, so they're in our hands and ready to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews