Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey: A Branches Book (Monkey Me #1)

Monkey Me #1

by Timothy Roland

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Clyde is an energetic student who just can't sit still. After eating a banana that has been zapped by lasers on his class field trip to the science museum Clyde starts to feel weird. Now every time he gets excited, he transforms into a monkey! Only with the help of his twin sister, Claudia, can Monkey Clyde stay out of trouble.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Humor, School, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Fantasy

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2014

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I like monkeys. I also enjoyed this book because Clyde turned into a moneky by eating a banana from Dr. Wally's experiment.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read to my kids when I get the chance. Lately I have been working 2 jobs, so I'm never home. I work six days out of the week, and four of those days I am at both jobs. I feel like such a horrible parent because I'm not home and when I am I'm dead tired. Even though I don't have a lot of time to read to my son right now I am always looking for good children's books to read to my son. Scholastic was kind enough to let me read this when I requested it on NetgGalley, and I am so glad they did. I really loved this book. It was so cute and the perfect book for my 4 year old.

This book is about a boy with a lot of energy, and like any boy he is always hungry. While visiting the museum he sees a bowl of fruit that is supposed to have been treated to make each piece huge. Grabbing a banana he rushes off to see the dinosaurs and munch that banana before anyone realizes it is gone. This banana may have been treated to make it larger but that's not the only thing this yellow fruit had. Gamma radiation caused Clyde to turn into a monkey when he gets over excited.

The story is really cute. Clyde not only gets into monkey mischief when he turns into the monkey, but he also helps to catch a thief who stole the Golden Monkey from the very museum Clyde took the enhanced banana. There are a lot of pictures on every page, and when Clyde turns into the monkey the story shifts to a comic strip.

I read this to my 4 year old son, 8 month old daughter and my wife. Sitting in the kids' room reading to everyone was one of the best nights I have had with my family in a little while. We all enjoyed this story and I have to pick up the next book in this series. This is a great book to read to your kids if you have some time. It said it was about 86 pages but we read this in one sitting before bed.

This is a great early reader book to read to your kids or to get for your own early reader. I think I will even have to go out and buy the paperback copy of this so my son can read it himself once his reading skills improve. For now I am very happy to have had the time to read this, and I hope that I can continue to find great children's books to read to my kids. This is easily 4.5 stars out of 5, so for the purpose of reviewing this on Goodreads and Amazon I will round up to 5 stars.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Monkey Me #1: Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey
Author: Tim Roland
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 1-28-2014
Pages: 96
Genre: Children's Fiction
Sub-Genre: Chapter Book; Apes & Monkeys, Friendship, Social Skills,Animals
ISBN: 9780545559768
ASIN: B00EW2PXJK
Reviewed For NetGalley and Scholastic
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars


When Clyde gets over stimulated he turns into a money following his consuming a banana that had been altered by a scientist with gamma rays. Clyde discovers that the museum's golden monkey has been stolen. He and his sister, Claudia use his new found ability to capture the burglar and save the day.


An adorable story for grades 1 through 3. The colorful illustrations pull the reader in the story and brings it to the story to life. A fun read to share with younger readers or to have young readers share with others. Pass on the love of reading. A great series to enjoy.


My rating of "Monkey Me #1: Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey" is 5 out of 5 stars.


Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EW2PXJK/...

B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/monk...

Books-A-Million Link: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Monkey...

Google Play Link: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...

GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Indigo Link: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-CA/...

Kobo Link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/monk...

The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...

[waceed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book for the Monkey Me series by Timothy Roland — a story about a boy named Clyde — he was so energetic and always be the cause of troubles that he involved — he has a sister twin named Claudia — Claudia was born with full of brains while he was born with full of energy

This book is suitable for children’s reading — has the simple sentences to understand the story — also has graphics to not let the reader doesn’t feel boring when read this book 😉

Love,
💕

[Sepideh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy chapter book for children that a 6-year old in my house won for finishing the summer reading program at the library. The child in this book finds himself turning into a monkey when he gets excited. Echoes of Robert the Rose Horse ring throughout this book because every sneeze is followed by chaos. The 6-year old thought that this book was very funny.

[Nancy Kamenyero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would reco this book to young readers in grade 1 and 2: those transitioning to first chapter books. Each chapter is very short, so they will be encouraged when they finish a chapter. There are still some illustrations to keep the young reader engaged. It's short enough for kids not to get overwhelmed. Please note: I am employed at Indigo bookstore but my opinion of this book is my own.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly little book about a very energetic boy who turns into a monkey, and a stolen artifact that makes it happen.

My 5-year-old cried when the library didn't have the second book after this. So I guess he liked it.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy to read beginner chapter book.

[Julie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick read about a boy who likes to run, jump & get into trouble.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mixed style book will hold young readers attention. Going from text to graphic based on which persona is out in Clyde was a good idea.

[Nam · Rating 3 out of 5]

One thing's for sure: I would not want to be Claudia.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for my 5 and 8 years old who love comics. It’s a great mix of comic strips interspersed into the chapters. We read it in two sittings.

[Christopher Drake]

I think it is pretty cool the end is the best part

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a short book but it was a nice book

[Jessica Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read aloud story that had my kiddos hooked.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clyde eats a scientifically altered banana on a class trip and now can turn into a monkey when he gets too excited! Can he keep this secret from his teacher and family?

Meanwhile, a prized Golden Monkey statue at the museum goes missing. Can Clyde help solve the mystery?

A graphic novel for elementary school kids, this was cute. I love how the coloring changes in the book as Clyde switches from boy to monkey and back too!

[Jgramley · Rating 3 out of 5]

When your brother’s energy and possibly a lucky golden monkey charm turns your younger brother into a monkey, what is a twin sister supposed to do? You will have to read to find out.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I like the use of two different formats.

[Siham Siar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read in the Monkey Me series and it won't be the last. God's will

I enjoyed it, as if I had returned to my lost childhood...

[Benjamin Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun. Easy read. My 4yo and 6yo girls enjoyed it!

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey is the first book in the Monkey Me series by by Timothy Roland. This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. Clyde is an energetic kid with trouble sitting still, while his twin sister Claudia is much more grounded. During a museum field trip Clyde eats a banana that has been zapped by lasers. Soon, he starts to feel weird and now every time he gets excited, he changes into a monkey!

Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey is a fun and entertaining story that might be the draw reluctant early readers into reading more just for the fun of it. Clyde and his sister Claudia are twins and fit the basic twin standards- one is smart and follows the rules while the other is a little wild. As the wild one Clyde is very excitable- and after eating a laser zapped banana turns into a monkey whenever he starts feeling overly excited. The story is simply told, silly and exciting, and does not talk down to readers. I think this series just might encourage the newest generation of readers to keep on reading.

I would recommend Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey to new and reluctant readers that are either just starting to read novels on their own or have been struggling with reading. I think many readers will be able to relate with Clyde and enjoy his adventures.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why it is, but monkeys seem to be a naturally funny animal. And that is especially true in this new series from Scholastic. Energetic Clyde reminds me so much of some kids I know that I had to laugh and sigh at the same time. Somehow they are so much more entertaining in books than in the classroom. But regardless, Clyde is basically a good kid with an insane amount of energy that shows itself in lots of fidgeting. Luckily for him, his twin sister, Claudia, is there to help him. But after eating ray-blasted fruit during a field trip, Clyde finds himself turning into a monkey when he gets really excited (which is quite often). This does not of course help him behave at school resulting in some rather hilarious chases through the school. Things come to a head however when he discovers something valuable was stolen from the museum while his class was on their field trip there. Can he help save the day or is he bound to just be a silly monkey forever? A thoroughly entertaining new series for early chapter book readers, Monkey Me, has lots of illustrations, including the comic book like sections when Clyde turns into a monkey. Sure to be a hit with young readers.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clyde and Claudia are twins yet they couldn't be more different from one another. Claudia is calm, brainy and cautious. Clyde constantly is bouncing and reckless. When their class visits the museum Claudia tries to make Clyde follow the rules. But he can't help it if he is so hungry he eats a banana out of a scientific experiment! Now when he gets super excited he literally starts monkeying around. Can Claudia use her wits to figure out what happened and how to fix it? Branches has done it again...given beginning chapter book readers a fabulous new illustrated series that will keep them coming back for more.

P.S. I love how the monkey parts are shown in comic book style instead of straight chapter book. This makes it great for reluctant readers.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Wally looked at me again. "Clyde's inner monkey must now be able to grow big enough to become an outer monkey. . . . When Clyde gets super excited," Dr. Wally said, "he will now not only act like a monkey, he will become one."

And Clyde really does act like a monkey--all of the time, excited or not. This book lightly follows a superhero origin track in making the metaphor literal, with a radioactive banana turning Clyde into a superhero of sorts who saves the day and stops a thief. Already heavily illustrated, it even has comic-book-style sections for the monkey moments. I thought the humor could have been better and the story could have been deeper, but it will strike a chord with its target young reader audience.

[Dolores · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this 2 stars because it was written for newly independent readers and will probably appeal to young boys. I, however, did not like it at all and will not recommend it. The main character was full of energy and always looking for fun, but he was also extremely careless, disrespectful and mean. I have loved many hyper kids in my many years of teaching, and kept looking for something to love about Clyde; didn't happen.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Clyde devours a banana while on a field trip to a museum, he shifts from being a rambunctious boy to a troublesome monkey and back again. While his twin sister Claudia tries to keep his secret, he runs into trouble because he has something for which a thief is searching. Young readers will enjoy the storyline and relate to Clyde's monkey business while also savoring the fact that parts of the story are told through comic strips sprinkled throughout the book.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why, but I was not a big fan of this one. Clyde, a child who appears to have ADHD, eats a magical banana at the science museum and suddenly whenever he's uber excited he turns into a monkey. Along the gleefully wacky nature of Captain Underpants, but not quite as fun. A decent beginning chapter book, but I think there are others that are a bit better done. I do imagine that this would appeal to certain kinds of kids though.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clyde has so much energy, and it is always getting him into trouble. But when a special banana turns him into a monkey, he finds a way to use that excess energy to save the day. Recommended for those reluctant readers who can't seem to stay still, as Clyde's rushing around and the breaks between comic panels and regular prose will make it more accessible.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy who can magically transform into a super fast monkey. Wow. A bad guy who fakes being a museum guard and then a substitute teacher and steals a golden monkey from the museum. Action. Adventure. And a few comics in between the chapters when the boy turns into a monkey. Zowie!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

While on a school field trip, Clyde eats a banana that is part of a science experiment. The result is that he is transformed into a monkey whenever he gets excited. This is a good start to a new series which is part chapter book and part graphic novel.