Run, Mo, Run!

Mo Jackson

by David A. Adler, Sam Ricks (Illustrator)

Mo is the star of his school's track-and-field meet in the sixth title of the perenially popular, Geisel Award-winning series by David A. Adler!

Mo and his classmates from 2B will compete against the students from class 2M in a track-and-field meet and the winning team will get a surprise dessert! Mo, Jenna, and Dov will compete in the day's final event--the relay race--but first, Mo has to pass the baton without dropping it. He practices at lunch and during class, but the baton keeps slipping out of his hand. When the score is tied and the pressure is on, will Mo be able to win for his team?

Genres: Sports, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2022

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Mo and his classmates will be competing against Class 2B in a relay race after school! When they practice together, Mo drops the baton every time anyone passes it to him. Can Mo find a way to succeed in the real race?

Another simple Mo title. Simple text great for young sports fans.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo, Jenna, and Dov comprise their classroom’s relay team. Mo rushes through lunch, stuffs a jelly donut in his pocket, and tells his friend, Jenna, that they need to get ready for the afternoon track meet. On the playground, they practice passing a straw from Jenna’s milk. Jenna, who will run the second leg of the relay race, runs toward Mo. Before she can pass the straw, Mo takes off running. When they try again, Mo drops it. That afternoon, Mo has trouble paying attention in class. He practices passing the straw from hand to hand behind his back. Once the track and field event begins, Mo doesn’t seem too concerned about his upcoming race. Jenna sees the red stain on Mo’s pocket which reminds him of his saved jelly donut. Mo pulls the donut out and eats it getting jelly all over his hand. Mo’s sticky hand gives him an advantage over the other relay team.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet easy reader title starring Mo Jackson, a small boy who loves sports. This book features track, and previous titles covered football, basketball, soccer, baseball and swimming. Mo is a brown skinned second grader whose skill doesn’t always match his enthusiasm, but he tries hard and loves his snacks. In this case, a smushed jelly doughnut in his pocket is what helps him keep hold of the baton, winning the race for his class.

Lively illustrations depict a diverse community. Consistent with a J level GRL, compound words, more dialogue and a storyline that contains more action and characters make this a great early reader.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fun story about Mo who is practicing with his relay team for an upcoming competition. This is a realistic story that boys will enjoy. The characters represent diversity and the plot moves along fast. Kids in Grades K-1 will enjoy this story, especially if they have already read other books in the series. Highly recommended for Grades K-1.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mo and his classmates have a track meet after school. Mo's been practicing for the relay race, but he can't seem to get it right. Can he help his team win in the real competition?

There are so few track books for little readers, so this fills a huge gap that little runners have been waiting for. Adler employs great pacing for the story, even if it is just a short leveled reader.

[Heidi Doyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mo is a wonderful character and I usually love the stories about him, but this one felt a little flatter than the others. It is all about a relay race with his friends, and there is a funny incident with a jelly donut.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early elementary easy reader about a boy training for a relay race and his classmates.

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

[Chickenlips422 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since it is a transitional reader, I gave it an extra star. I also am a fan of the author, David Adler.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good beginning reader with a good story.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A jelly donut helps Mo win the relay race.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The jelly donut is a fun plot point in this early chapter book featuring wonderful Mo!

[Skyler Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run, Mo, Run was a well drawn book. The picture conveyed the story in a playful light. Only problem I had was the dialogue tags and sanitary. Mo, why do you have a jelly donut hanging around loosely in your pocket?!?! On top of that, he scarfed it down without washing his hands. Anyways, my little “sister” liked the story and it effectively put her to sleep. I definitely recommend this book to teens and adults. Not children. It’s a bad example of good hygiene!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mo and his friends are running in a relay race. When they practice, they keep messing up. Will they be able to get it right for the real race?