Un été à Montréal: Voyage avec mes parents, t. 03 (Boréal Junior)

Travels with My Family

by Marie-Louise Gay, David Homel, Lori e.a. Saint-Martin (Translator)

Charlie can't wait for school to be over. But he's wondering what particular vacation ordeal his parents have lined up for the family this summer. Canoeing with alligators in Okefenokee? Getting caught in the middle of a revolutionary shootout in Mexico? Or perhaps another trip abroad?



Turns out, this summer the family is staying put, in their hometown — Montreal, Canada. A "staycation," his parents call it. Charlie is doubtful at first but, ever resourceful, decides that there may be adventures and profit to be had in his own neighborhood.



And there are. A campout in the backyard brings him in contact with more than one kind of wildlife, a sudden summer storm floods the expressway, various pet-sitting gigs turn almost-disastrous, and a baseball game goes awry when various intruders storm the infield — from would-be medieval knights and an over-eager ice-cream vendor to a fly-ball-catching Doberman. Then of course there's looking after his little brother, Max, who is always a catastrophe-in-the-making.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Family, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Contemporary

Mass Market Paperback

First published March 27, 2012

About the author

Marie-Louise Gay is the illustrator of many award-winning children's books. She is from Montreal, Canada.

Reviews

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little stories about how two brothers spend a summer that isn't planned to the nines. I remember summers like that! I do find the younger brother's antics annoying and bordering on reckless with little control from the parents. I am glad that the second book about this family has less focus on Max, the younger.

[Morrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, funny, easy-to-read book, perfect for the summer. Each chapter is like a mini story, all wrapped up in a memorable summer.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant childhood adventures!!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love every book that Marie Louise Gay writes. She’s a master. This is a funny story about grown and brotherhood and friendship. Just Love it.

[Paige Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids didn’t want me to put this one down! I loved that each chapter has a separate storyline. Perfect read-aloud for a wide range of kids.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Charlie's family usually leaves their Montreal home for adventure-filled summer vacations, this summer is different. Since both parents must work, they decide that the family will spend the summer at home. Charlie figures it will be a terrible summer with him having to look after his younger brother, Max, but he also manages to have a few adventures even while staying home as he looks for a job, tries his hand at walking dogs, camps out in the backyard, takes care of a classmate's pet goldfish, and survives a flashflood while driving home from the sporting goods store with his father. Plus, Charlie meets a new girl, Flor, with a white cat for a pet. All in all, he realizes that adventure and fun can be found anywhere, even right on your front doorstep. This humorous, gently-told story is engaging and filled with funny moments juxtaposed against some serious messages about taking care of those around us. If the world were filled with a few more Charlies, it would be much improved. I particulary enjoyed the illustrations of Mrs. Skilos's three hyperactive dogs as they put Charlie through his paces.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charle and his brother, Max, are spending their summer vacation at home this year- a stay-cation. Previous summers, they travelled with their parents to exotic locales and had awesome adventures, but money is tight. Both parents will be working this summer. Charlie and Max have plenty of adventures during their summer as they realize all the fun things they can do- become cat finders, get stranded in the storm of the century, get stuck inside a bread truck and need to find their way home, and more. Each chapter in the story is its own adventure while all the chapters come together to create a full summer of fun. Charlie sometimes wishes he could go alone (and does with the help of little white lies to his younger brother!). A great story of adventure and imagination as well as some heart felt truths about younger siblings.

[Kristin R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie and Max live in Montreal and this book is about their summer adventures. Charlie and Max tried to find a summer job—finding lost pets and collecting the reward money, but that didn’t go so well. Next, their parents suggest camping in the backyard, which is great until an unexpected guest arrives. Charlie also tries dog walking and the boys take a bus trip to visit their friend’s farm and get a little lost on the way. This was a great book for young readers about a fun filled summer.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! Funny for kids and adults. This is apparently the third in a series? I haven't read the first two, but this one made lots of sense and I didn't feel as if I had to read the first two before reading this one. Could definitely stand alone just fine. I'll probably talk about this one at SRL visits.

[JennLynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read about a boy's "stay-cation" at home in Montreal with his parents and pesty little brother. Although anticipating dull days, things like a backyard campout and the storm of the century make the summer more interesting than expected. Nice to have a glimpse at some of Montreal's unique aspects too. C+ Middle school and younger boys will love it.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a children's book. Charlie's parents plan their vacation this year as a staycation at home in the city. They do discover animals in the backward, return lost pets to their owners, etc. but I think the book moved rather slowly. Perhaps I would have preferred hearing about an away vacation. No humor, the standard for books.

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do this odd thing. When I find a children's book I really like, I get everything my library has by that particular author or illustrator. I think, but am honestly not sure that's what led me to this book. I think this might be a fun teacher read aloud in May for a first or second grade teacher.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in a series of stories about a family who like to travel and live in different places for awhile. The two young boys are surprised when their parents tell them that this summer they are not going away - that is called a 'staycation' - and they will be exploring their own city of Montreal instead. To be sure, the boys find all sorts of adventures at home.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather than go on vacation, the family in this story chooses a "staycation" where the children camp in the backyard (with a skunk!) and explore various summer jobs. The book is set in Montreal - some fun, quirky language here and there. I laughed out loud a couple of times.

[Jamantea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't like this book. It started out really slow and there were long uninteresting spells too. This isn't a book that I would want to read again and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone over the age of ten.

[Thano R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie can't wait until summer because his family always plans a big trip but this year the get to rent a house in Montreal. They start a lost dog/cat business, sleep in the yard and have an awesome time. I enjoyed this book

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing adventures of Charlie and his little brother Max as they spend a "staycation" at home in Montreal.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. For kids. Read for work.

[Lois Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud good! I read it aloud to boys aged 9 and 7 years over the space of a few nights....they loved it....and I did too!

[Monika · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an enjoyable read but I don't think it's an award nominee. No real plot to the story, just events that happen during a summer vacation.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Québécois