The Miniature World of Marvin & James

The Masterpiece Adventures #1

by Elise Broach, Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

In this Masterpiece Adventure from bestselling author Elise Broach, James is going on vacation for a week. His best friend, Marvin the beetle, has to stay at home. Without James to keep him company, Marvin has to play with his annoying cousin, Elaine. Marvin and Elaine quickly find themselves getting into all sorts of trouble—even getting trapped inside a pencil sharpener! But more importantly, will James still be Marvin's friend when he gets home or will he have found a new best friend?
 
A Christy Ottaviano Book

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Friendship, Juvenile, Middle Grade

112 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 2013

About the author

Elise Broach is the New York Times bestselling author of children's books including Masterpiece, Shakespeare's Secret, Desert Crossing, Missing on Superstition Mountain (the first book in the Superstition Mountain Trilogy) as well as several picture books. Her books have been selected as ALA notable books, Junior Library Guild selections, a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book, a New York Public Library Best Book for the Teenage, an IRA Teacher's Choice, an E.B. White Read Aloud Award, and nominated for an Edgar Award, among other distinctions. Ms. Broach holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from Yale University. She was born in Georgia and lives in the woods of rural Connecticut, walking distance from three farms, a library, a post office and two country stores.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/eliseb...

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw that Marvin and James are featured in a series for younger readers as I really enjoyed Masterpiece but I was disappointed. Most of the story takes place with Marvin and his cousin Elaine stuck inside a pencil sharpener. It at once felt too much and not enough (imagine if the Star Wars had Luke and Co. trapped in the garbage smasher for over half the movie). I am not sure how to feel about Cousin Elaine. Is she just an annoying whiner as some reviews think (which is a problem in its own right as she is the only female character and needs her male cousin to help her)? IMO Elaine goes beyond being a "worry wart" to where she truly seems to have some sort of anxiety disorder. On the one hand, I think it's important for characters like this to appear in children's literature because many people (children included) suffer with these issues. However, I don't really like the way Elaine comes across as just being annoying and burdensome -- her feelings are not handled in any really compassionate or productive. Just kind of "get over it" sort of thing. I realized it's not easy for Marvin to have to deal with her anxiety in the trying circumstances and that they need to be productive, but he doesn't seem to have much patience or compassion. This perpetuates some distressing misconceptions and attitudes about anxiety disorders. Also, I think her outbursts could make anxious children actually feel more anxious (she worries repeatedly that are going to DIE in there, that the pencil sharpener will become their grave. etc.). If your child or one of your children's siblings or friends is prone to anxiety I would encourage you to avoid this book or at least to preview the book before sharing with your child. On the plus side, I appreciated the sensitive handling of Marvin's feelings regarding missing James while James is on vacation.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first title in the Masterpiece Adventures chapter book series. I didn't know at first that this chapter book series is based on a middle grade novel that I haven't yet read. The text does presume some familiarity with the main characters (a beetle and a boy) and how they interact with one another. Possibly because I lack that, I don't find their relationship fully satisfying. In the very beginning of the book, the boy goes on vacation without the beetle, who stays behind with his bug family. While the boy is gone, Marvin and his beetle cousin get stuck in an electric pencil sharpener and must concoct an escape plan, and then execute it successfully. The boy doesn't return home until pg 91. In a book about the friendship between a boy and a beetle, I expect more interaction between them.

[nikita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book that I would recommend if you ever have to teach kids reading skills (as I am now). I was a bit confused for a while as to who was Marvin and who was James. I like how the ending focused and Marvin's feelings and discussed the concept of missing someone in a digestible and clear manner.

[Susan Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy beginning chapter book for young readers. Rather simple compared to her original “Masterpiece,” but I think young readers would enjoy it. (Library)

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the award winning author of Masterpiece and Shakespeare's Secret, Elise Broach introduces a delightful spin off series of Masterpiece for young chapter book readers called The Miniature World of Marvin & James. Told from beetle, Marvin's point of view, his best friend a human named James goes away on vacation. While Marvin pines for his buddy, his cousin Elaine appears ready for an adventure. She discovers an entertaining contraption in the studio with an interesting hole to climb through and fluffy material to bounce on. Both beetles have lots of fun in the mystery box until the contraption begins to whir and shake. A pencil remains stuck in the black hole, the beetles then realize they're in trouble, trapped in a pencil sharpener. This is an extremely entertaining story with simple yet elegant pen and ink illustrations on every page to keep young readers engaged.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute easy reader with the lovable beetle Marvin and his friend James. I was curious about this series as the characters are from a mystery book that is written at a much higher reading level. Would readers understand who they were without reading Masterpiece? The answer is yes. Although, having read Masterpiece I understood better why they were friends than readers would who haven't read that book. Perhaps the author's intention is to have young readers get to know Marvin and James so when they are old enough to read Masterpiece, they will be even more invested in the friendship. It's a cute story, but this first instalment is mostly about Marvin missing James while he is on vacation and not so much about "the minature world of Marvin and James"...

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise Broach doesn't disappoint yet again in this early chapter book about friendship.

[Jessica Maiorano]

Title: The Miniature World of Marvin & James
Author: Elise Broach
Illustrator: Elise Broach
Genre: Transitional Chapter Book
Theme(s): Friendship, Beetles

Opening line/sentence:

Marvin is sad.
James is going away.
“Just to the beach.” James tells him.
Mrs. Pompaday and William are going too.

Brief Book Summary:
James and Marvin have a great friendship but when Marvin cannot go on vacation with James. James has many concerns about their long lasting friendship. While James is away, Marvin has an adventure of his own.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
• Children’s Literature
The characters from Broach s best-selling novel Masterpiece--eleven-year-old human boy James Pompaday and artistically talented beetle Marvin--here launch a younger chapter book series of their continuing adventures. James is heading off for a week at the beach with his mother and brother, while his father and Marvin remain at home. At first, Marvin rolls himself into a desolate little ball. Then his beetle Mama, tired of his moping, tells him that [o]nly boring beetles get bored. James finds this saying puzzling, as generations of children have before him, asking A boring beetle would not have an interesting life in the first place. Why would he get bored? But then Marvin finds himself having an adventure both exciting and terrifying when he and his cousin Elaine explore the inside of Mr. Pompaday s pencil sharpener, only to find themselves trapped when the man sharpens a bunch of pencils and leaves one in the sharpener exit when he s called away from his desk. All turns out well, and Marvin is relieved and touched beyond measure to discover that James missed him just as much as he missed James. Broach takes seriously even the smallest fears of both beetles and children; Murphy s soft, sepia-toned illustrations are an expressive delight. Together, they have crafted a gentle tribute to the powerful bonds connecting friends, whether together or apart

Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
• Horn Book 2014

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Masterpiece Adventures series. A new early chapter book series follows the friendship of beetle Marvin and human James (Masterpiece) for a younger audience. The sentences are shorter and the illustrations more prominent, but the amiable tone and relatable characters are the same. New readers will be rewarded by this page-turning adventure, written throughout with emotional authenticity and ending with a satisfying conclusion.

Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both Horn Book and Children’s Literature speak very highly of this book and series.
This award-winning book touches on a lesson of friendship and adventure. Children’s Literature speaks more about the plot of the book and Horn Book mentions more of the literacy elements the book. Both of which will help me identify if this book is right for a child or classroom.

Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The colors in this book are very dull but it does not take away from the excitement and adventure in the book. The pictures are used to empathize specific details in the story that the reader should focus on. The illustrator uses depth of field and borders to create a unique picture book for children to read.

Consideration of Instructional Application:
In the beginning of the story, James and Marvin create a packing list for James. With a partner, the students can create an adventure to go with their peer and create a packing list of what they will pack. Marvin the beetle in the book likes to draw and color, with their peer they can draw a picture of where they are going to go together.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

James is going to the beach for vacation! Marvin, his beetle friend, is not excited about this as he is not going with James. He does help James pack his suitcase and helps him to remember to take his book along. But when James leaves Marvin finds himself lonely and bored. His mother encourages him to play with his cousin Elaine.

He and Elaine run off together, only to find themselves in trouble after having climbed inside an electric pencil sharpener. Jumping in the wood shavings was fun until Mr. Pompaday, James' father stuck in a pencil to sharpen it, got distracted and left the pencil in the hole. Now Marvin and Elaine are truly trapped.

Marvin suggests that they chew on the pencil to create a hole big enough to crawl out of. Begrudgingly Elaine agrees. It takes a long time and several tries but finally they are able to crawl out.

During this stressful event Marvin overheard Mr. Pompaday on the phone talking bout James' new friends. Marvin is distressed that he won't be his friend anymore. Marvin's mother explains that it's ok for James to have other human friends. when James arrives home Marvin is delighted to discover that he was greatly missed.

[Katherine Quint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:

James is a boy and Marvin is a beetle. James, his little brother and their mother Mrs. Pompaday are going on a trip to the beach for a week. Marvin has to stay home and patiently wait for James to get back. Marvin goes on an adventure and gets into a bit of a pickle.

Grade Level:

1-4

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you think of any other ways Marvin and his cousin could've gotten out of the pencil sharpener?
2. What other household/classroom items might be dangerous for Marvin?
3. Have you ever had a friend go away for vacation? What did you do to help pass the time until they came back?
4. What kinds of things do you think James was doing at the beach? Do you think he missed Marvin?
5. Make a postcard from the beach, draw a picture on the front and write a note on the back for a friend.

Citation:

Broach, E., & Murphy, K. (2014). The Miniature World of Marvin & James. New York, NY: Square Fish.

[Karey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book overall because there are parts of it that are good. I like how the two boy characters are so sweet and tender with and toward each other, and I like the exploration of complicated feelings that come up when Marvin goes on vacation and leaves his ant friend behind. The tiny world and adventures of the ants is also fun. The reason I’m giving this just two stars is because the one girl character plays only a secondary role (despite being present for most of the story) and is portrayed as whiny, obnoxious, emotional and more of a hindrance than a partner in problem solving when the ants find themselves in a bind. Disappointing that this book played into the same old, tired tropes and gender stereotypes so prevalent in children’s literature. I ended up returning it and looking for something that portrays girls in a more positive light for my godson to read.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is based upon suitability for my 2nd graders and is basically just for me to look back on next year. It was a bit short and simplified for their liking although they did mostly like it, they are ready for something with a more complex story line and richer writing.

It would be a better read aloud for first grade or kindergartners.

It’s a cute story and you could tie lots of academics into it:
* riddles and adjectives…what’s the mystery machine?)
* calendar/seasons
* writing-list making
* friendship

[Jacklyn (ReadingBliss) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preread for my kids.

Completely appropriate for young minds, themes explored include friendship, patience, teamwork, and thoughtfulness. I thought this one was cute. My favorite part was the imagined adventure into “the box”. I won’t give it away, but it was fun the insects were swimming in it. I think it will be another story my children will enjoy, specifically, my 9 year old son. He really likes creepy crawlies and has a “pet” spider in the backyard.

[Kevin Sheives · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it’s about a beetle named Marvin and his best friend, a kid named James. James takes a vacation to the beach and it’s about Marvin worrying that James will get a new best friend on his trip. While James is away, Marvin has to play with his annoying cousin Elaine. They both go into all sorts of places together in the house. Will James still be Marvin’s best friend or has James found a new best friend?

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early chapter book about a boy and his friend Marvin--who happens to be a beetle. Fun flight of imagination. The pencil sharpener misadventure would be quite memorable to students who are ready for a first chapter book. A great book to bridge the gab between I Can Read leveled stories and longer chapter books. Engaging illustrations.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginner chapter books based on Masterpiece. In this story, James goes on vacation to the beach, leaving his best friend Marvin behind. Marvin worries that James will forget about him, but gets distracted on an adventure to the pencil sharpener. Very big font and pictures on every page make this a solid starter chapter even though it is over 100 pages.

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had my 7yo son read this, and he blazed through it. I read it myself (and partly aloud). Like others, I was confused at the beginning of who was Marvin and who was James. And it seemed weird that James wasn't even in the majority of the book. Still, it was a neat little story, and I'd probably read more in the series.

[superawesomekt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very wholesome, simple early reader. Marvin the beetle is very emotional when his best friend James goes away on vacation, but his mother encourages him to spend time with his cousin Elaine in the meantime. But the reader will discover with Elaine and Marvin that in their miniature world everyday items can be a source of fun—and danger!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, short story with pictures. My four-year-old loves for me to read this to him. Too advanced for him to try to read on his own. Might be too boring and simple for an older kid that can read but maybe not. I love how there are pictures on nearly every page so it's engaging for the Littles.

[AZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for a bug lover! I do hope you love beetles! I loved that book!!
I hope you do too! Only five chapters! You can read it in one day! 🕷🕷🕷🕷🐛🐛🐛🐛🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜😺😸😺😸😺😸😺😸😺😸😺😸😸😸😸😸😺😺😺😺👏🏻👍👍👍🖐🏻✌🏻

[Angelika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story of Marvin, the bug, who has adventures while his boy is on vacation and is happy he is still his friend when he gets back. Too simple for k-3 discussion, but great for next step chapter book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noah: 4 stars. “I like at the end. That James came home and Marvin gave him a present and James gave Marvin a present.”

William: 3.5 stars. “I liked when his little brother William said ‘ya-ya!’ when he came home.”

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very promising start to an emerging reader series. Marvin, (beetle or cockroach)? goes on an adventure with his cousin, when his best friend James, a human boy, goes on vacation for a week. Will Marvin be able to escape from the black box with the frightening rotating blade?

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five-year-old loved this and hated putting it down. His big sisters were ok with it since it only took us two days to read aloud at lunch. They had been able to enjoy Masterpiece much more than he was, but this was perfectly at his level.

[Whitney Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet read! Perfect read-aloud for my 3 & 4 year old boys. The whole family loved it. The boys really enjoyed the pencil sharpener adventure. ✏️🪲
We also had great conversations about friendship and the emotions that often go along in that specific type of relationship.

[Dylan | itsthelymanlibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read, my son is obsessed with Marvin and James. I liked that the chapters are the perfect length. I can read 3 chapters on a day with time and one chapter when we’re in a hurry. Oh and the story is very sweet.

[Ms. Emily'S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how Marvin and Elaine played in the pencil sharpener and they got stuck. I liked how in last part James and Marvin gave each other a gift and became best friends again. The book made me feel happy because it was interesting. -Andrei

[Tia Garrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a beetle missing his human friend. Appropriate and engaging for my 8yo son.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dexter (9yo) read.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars