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Babymouse #11

Dragonslayer

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Get ready for the next big epic fantasy . . .

In a distant kingdom a growing darkness falls over the land.

One is called to defend . . . to bring hope . . . to slay the Mighty Dragon. . . .

Could it be . . . Babymouse? Find out when Babymouse leads her fellow Mathletes in the quest of a lifetime, a death-defying fight to win back both her school’s honor and the coveted GOLDEN SLIDE RULE. Our brave young hero must face not just the evil Owlgorithms but also her own personal dragon—MATH. Destined for glory, for greatness, for bookstores and libraries everywhere . . . this is the epic adventure fans have been waiting for!

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

77 people are currently reading
823 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer L. Holm

121 books1,728 followers
Jennifer L. Holm is a USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling children's author with more than 9.8 million books in print She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and a Scott O'Dell Award for her novel FULL OF BEANS.

Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!

For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.

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5 stars
1,111 (51%)
4 stars
509 (23%)
3 stars
387 (18%)
2 stars
93 (4%)
1 star
48 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Calista.
5,434 reviews31.3k followers
September 24, 2018
Babymouse ends up in the Mathlete program. She gets an F on her math test and somehow that means she has to spend her time around the really smart math people and be on this Math Quiz game. That whole part didn't make sense how she ended up there. She daydreams of being a dragonslayer. There is a prophecy that one will win the tournament. Some think it is babymouse - a person who can't pass regular math class.

Still, this is cute and fun and I love the daydreams. I was a daydreamer in school too.
Profile Image for Olivia.
50 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2022
The girl I babysit has like all of these so I read one in like 30 mins. Best 30 mins of my life. These books are so good I remember reading them in like 4th grade. Also they’re motivational af like this one is about Babymouse struggling with math and I can really relate.
Profile Image for Wynona.
85 reviews
March 12, 2020
I liked the part where Babymouse went into her locker and she was in Narnia!
Profile Image for Sandra The Amazing.
9 reviews11 followers
Read
March 12, 2017
I loved this book so much i asked my parents to buy this book but my parents said no because it was a waste of money. Any ways i think this book is great for kids because it is not so fancy for big kids and not babyish for babys.I loved this book and i think you will to .Pink Poodles i am happy that you are back from Austin i missed texting you .Also how was Austin was it fun?What did you do there? Also when and what time is your playdate please please please please please please please please tell me thanks Pink Poodles And that is the end of my review.I think that baby mouse and everyone is creative in their on way so don't judge anyone by how they look or how they act.
Profile Image for Letticia.
7 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2010
i am currently reading this book and so far its good
Profile Image for Cormac.
8 reviews
September 9, 2018
It was easy to read and it had funny characters!!!!🤩🤩🥇
637 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2020
Dragonslayer (Babymouse #11) / by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm -- New York : Random House, c2009. (96 pages) RANGE 5 -- CHAPTER BOOKS

Babymouse loves cupcakes, hearts, and the color pink. She hates the elementary school bully and her always crinkled whiskers. She also is prone to daydreaming; this time it is about fantasy adventures similar to the books she loves reading. But she meets her own challenge and she must slay her own dragon -- MATH. She deals with lots of self-esteem issues and helps to overcome them with the help of a wise and patient teacher and her fellow teammates as they prepare to win back The Golden Slide Ruler for their school.

FORMAT: Number 11 in the Babymouse series by sister and brother team Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm. In graphic novel format this series is great for beginning and reluctant chapter book readers (especially girls) and makes for a quick and fun read. Notice the interaction of the writer (as narrator) with Babymouse throughout the story. The writer's dialogue is in rectangle boxes where other dialog is in bubbles. I also love that the book gives a glimpse into the next volume with a teaser page. NOTE: This series may appeal more to girls, but this title would be one that the boys just might enjoy as well.

Creative illustrations throughout the book with simple black and white illustrations with a hint of pink here and there -- unless it is one of Babymouse's daydreams and then everything turns pink. This provides a great hint to the reader as to what is happening in the plot. I also like the added feature of all the page numbers being in pink hearts.

Note: I love the fantasy book references (that most kids might not get, but us adults will). This novel refers to The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as well as The Hobbit. I also like how the text for the bat team member is written upside down, nice detail to the story.

FAVORITE PARTS: The explanation of The Golden Slide Rule which makes Babymouse want one even though she doesn’t know what it is (page 32-33) – The book she is reading at recess is titled “Another Story About an Orphan Who Has Magical Abilities and Saves the World from the Forces of Darkness (Book One of Twelve) on page 51 because it sounds like something I would enjoy reading -- As Babymouse is watching her other teammates studying at recess, her friend Wilson reminds her, “When you believe in something, Babymouse, it’s worth fighting for.” “But I don’t believe in math.” [says Babymouse] “But they do, Babymouse and you’re on their team now.” [Wilson replied] (page 52) and I love that the math team teacher (leader of math geeks) understands why she is late…because her locker is a portal to another world where time runs at a different rate…..(p26)
Profile Image for Becky.
167 reviews14 followers
September 22, 2009
Babymouse has quite the imagination and uses it freely, almost too freely. She finds herself drifting and not really paying attention in math class, thus earning herself an F- on a math assignment. F-?! Woah, Babymouse. Her teacher promises to forget the bad grade if Babymouse will give up her lunch periods to compete with the Mathletes in the upcoming Math Olympics!

This installment of this pink, cupcake filled graphic novel features fun parodies of many popular fantasy books. Like these classic fantasy stories, Babymouse: Dragonslayer starts with a map. Of course this map features Babymouse-esque landmarks like, "Caer Cupcake" and "Furrypaws Forest." At one point during her harrowing adventure, we even find our heroine under a tree, reading from a thick book entitled, "Another Story About an Orphan Who Has Magical Abilities and Saves the World From the Forces of Darkness (Book One of Twelve)."

I highly recommend this hilarious series, especially Dragonslayer! I LOVE BABYMOUSE! It's great that she's a cute girl mouse who loves pink hearts and cupcakes, but always imagines herself as the character having the adventures. She casts herself as the knight slaying the dragon, the detective solving the mystery, or the creepy monster, never the damsel in distress. She's probably too cool to hang with me, but I would definitely want to be her friend!
Profile Image for Amory Blaine.
466 reviews101 followers
Read
February 4, 2017
The nine-year-old girl I babysit is obsessed with Babymouse books, and secretly her six-year-old brother is as well. He was particularly excited about this one, because it has a dragon on the cover! He begged me to read it to him while his sister was in the shower. Poor kid - who would have guessed that the dragon is a trick to get kids to read a graphic novel about MATH? This whole book was far beyond his mathematical comprehension, and probably his sister's too. It was filled with math puns (my favorite: a competitive bird team called The Owlgorithms) and fantasy references few elementary schoolers will recognize. I appreciated the allusions, but much like Babymouse: The Musical, I could sense my reader getting lost and losing attention. The story was also pretty similar to Babymouse #20: Babymouse Goes for the Gold, in which Babymouse joins a team and worries about being the weakest member - just like this one. Dragonslayer is a valiant attempt to make math exciting, but in my opinion it over-estimates both its subject and its audience.
Profile Image for Nikki in Niagara.
4,391 reviews175 followers
November 7, 2009
Reason for Reading: Cybils nominee.

Comments: Babymouse is daydreaming about being an epic dragonslayer as in fantasy books when she receives an F- on her math test. Her teacher helpfully signs her up for the Mathletes team in exchange for ignoring her abysmal grade. Babymouse and math just do not get along and while her team prepares for the challenge against the current champions, the Owlgorithms, Babymouse just can't stop daydreaming; transplanting herself into Narnia and Middle Earth. Another cute story for Babymouse! This time her klutziness isn't showcased as much as her just plain average student ability-ness is and how easily she is overwhelmed. Babymouse spends her time with a whole new cast of characters on the Mathletes team and the math theme is explored and made fun of from many angles. Whether you love math or hate it, you'll be inspired. One thing that I'm really enjoying in these books is how the narrator talks back to Babymouse. It's funny! I have to say I enjoyed #10 The Musical more than this one though. But now I have an urge to go to the library and scoop up #1 through #9 and furiously catch up with Babymouse!
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book670 followers
July 7, 2012
This is the eleventh book in the Babymouse series by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. The plot centers on Babymouse's experiences on the math team, something I am all-too familiar with. I only participated in our high school's math club for a year, but it was just as dorky as I expected it to be, but in a fun sort of way.

As usual, things don't work out very smoothly for Babymouse, but nonetheless, it's an entertaining story. I loved the literary references, even the snide ones.

Our youngest really likes these books. They are quick reads and she read this book in less than an hour. I'm sure that we'll quickly read through this series.
Profile Image for Lady Knight.
838 reviews44 followers
June 26, 2010
Babymouse is a great way to get kids to read. Despite it's excessive use of pink (everything but the text is pink!) even boys seem to have no problem reading Babymouse. The text is simple and the comic book format allows much of the text to be explained by the pictures.

In this installment of the series, Babymouse finds herself failing math. To make up for an F- on a test, her teacher makes her join the school's Mathaletes team. Babymouse hates math so much that she often finds herself daydreaming. This time around she day dreams about knights. Her daydreams also resemble "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" as she sets out to find the Mathalete room and later as she learns about math, she daydreams about 'Frodomouse' and the Lord of the Rings. The day of the competition draws near and she's terrified of the reigning champion team, the Owlgorithams. But she soon learns that a little imagination can help one defeat even the toughest math equation and that dragons can be slayed!
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,349 reviews184 followers
November 16, 2016
Babymouse fails her math test and her teacher offers her an unusual makeup option - joining the mathlete team. Babymouse isn't sure about this. She doesn't feel like she is very good at math or has much to contribute. The team really wants to win the Golden Slide Rule back from the Owlgorithms but is Babymouse the prophesied one or will she doom them all?

This one incorporated some of my favorite fantasy stories in Babymouse's daydreams, Narnia and Lord of the Rings (also, nods to epic fantasy tomes that double as door stops...if only they all came with their own dollies like Babymouse's)! And though many will agree with Babymouse's sentiments of math feeling like a horrifying dragon, the book does a fantastic job of encouraging readers like Babymouse to persevere and maybe they'll find math isn't so bad. Great message and cleverly executed, and because of that we'll forgive the bad puns. Loved this one.
Profile Image for Ch_beverlyatwood.
51 reviews
February 5, 2010
Title: Babymouse Dragonslayer
Author: Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
Illustrator: Matthew Holm
Publisher: Random House
Year originally published: 2009
Translator (if applicable):
Approximate Interest Level/Reading Level: Ages 5-8
Format (picture book, audio book, book read online, chapter book/novel, graphic novel): Graphic Novel
Rating system: **
Brief summary: An imaginative mouse who likes to read heroic fantasy novels finds herself on the school math team as it prepares to compete for the coveted Golden Slide Rule. One book of many in the Babymouse series. Students will relate to the school scenarios depicted. The graphic format make for a quick read, or a slow read, however the student enjoys the book, they’re still reading. Perhaps for reluctant readers, a good find.
Profile Image for Allison.
1,483 reviews3 followers
December 16, 2009
Holm, Jennifer L. Babymouse Dragonslayer 96 pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers Language~G; Sexual Content~G Violence~G

Billed as “The next big epic fantasy!,” Babymouse #11 does not disappoint! After failing a math quiz, Babymouse is sent to work with the Mathletes. This group calls themselves the Fighting Fractions. Babymouse is unsure of her abilities and doubts herself. After much study and practice the Math Olympics arrives. Will all her work pay off or will she fail again?! Don’t miss Babymouse Dragonslayer!

This terrific volume of Babymouse stories includes reference to some of the classic literary works of fantasy. Fans will cheer her on!

ELM –Essential Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library
Profile Image for Abby Johnson.
3,373 reviews355 followers
December 11, 2009
The 11th Babymouse installment is a hit! When Babymouse gets an F- on a math quiz, her teacher offers her extra credit to join the Mathletes and practice her arithmetic. But for Babymouse, winning a Mathlete competition is like finding the Holy Grail - nearly impossible! She keeps foraying into the fantasy world of the thick novels she likes to read. (My favorite? "Another Story About an Orphan Who Has Magical Abilities and Saves the World from the Forces of Darkness (Book One of Twelve)" . Highly recommended and one of my favorite of the Babymouse books!
Profile Image for Linda .
4,197 reviews52 followers
June 17, 2012
I don't know how many of these I've read, but this is my favorite so far. I actually think it's almost for older readers. Who else would get the jokes, like the math teams' names: The Fighting Fractions, The Hypotemouses, and the Owlgorithms? This concerns Babymouse's low grades in math, so her teacher sends her to be on the math team, where she has to work on math every day at lunch. There are multiple ways to be successful in school, like in math, and this book shows the triumph of Babymouse at the end. Very fun. I'd think many math teachers would love this one.
Profile Image for Amelia.tullyhotmail.co.uk.
2 reviews
May 14, 2014
This book is an amazing graphic novel. So if you like cartoons and lots of pictures I would recommend this would be a match made in heaven!!!

At first I thought was a baby book but then I got really interested!
Also I like the way the Jenifer had so many creative ideas. This book is just pink, white and black so beware if you think it is odd. I don't want to be rood... but this story is more for girls. But anyone can read!!!

I just want to say I hope that when you read that you enjoy!!!
Profile Image for Paula Griffith.
156 reviews9 followers
July 21, 2011
I always love me some Babymouse! For this adventure, Babymouse has to fantasize her way out of a big math problem. She failed her math test, so her teacher makes her an offer she can't refuse--join the Mathletes who meet during lunch and the test grade will disappear. ...so after some soul searching and fantasizing, Babymouse makes her way into the Mathletes room to discover a new group of friends, and a possible new destiny. Recommended for grades 3-6. Everyone needs a little Babymouse!
Profile Image for Steve.
527 reviews3 followers
January 28, 2012
I had never heard of this children's comic series until my friend Jason gave me this volume along with a stack of other stuff. It's not an "all-ages series" becuase I don't think there's much here to appeal to adults. But I think it would be a great series for kids, especially young girls who are imaginative and creative (in other words, girls who are sometimes prone to daydreaming while in class :) ).
Profile Image for Angie.
2,393 reviews56 followers
July 17, 2012
So why did I wait so long to actually pick up a Babymouse? Well, one reason is they were always checked out at school!

Now I will look forward to school starting (in a couple weeks! NOT YET!) so that I can talk to kids about it. I'm dying to know ... do they notice all of the double entendre? These are so clever! It doesn't matter if they don't cause the story still fits--Babymouse joins the Mathletes. But the references to LoTR and the Chronicles of Narnia were hilarious.
Profile Image for Holly Mueller.
2,568 reviews8 followers
February 8, 2013
I loved this Babymouse story! Poor Babymouse is recruited onto the math quiz team after receiving an F- on a test. She is a self-proclaimed failure at math (and the narrator agrees). How will she ever survive? This one is full of fantasy story allusions - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, etc. Such funny lines, too, from the geometry whiz, Lucy, the bat (I love the upside down speech bubbles from her) and the narrator. I love the evil Owlgorithms!
Profile Image for Jamal.
25 reviews9 followers
September 22, 2013
Not my normal sort of reading, but my son got it from the library and told me to read it. He said that I would like it because it as kind of like The Hobbit. It did have references to pop culture fantasy such as Lord of the Rings, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Harry Potter and Eragon. What a liked most about the book was that it promoted a female protagonist as someone who did math, even if it was not what she wanted to do. Overall it was a cute enjoyable quick read. Thanks son.
2,625 reviews53 followers
September 24, 2018
another Babymouse adventure, this time her daydreaming gets her punished by being stuck on the school math olympics team. along the way she visits Narnia (and finds an understanding teacher) and fights sauron. she, of course, becomes victorious by trusting herself.

i loved this one because of the Tolkien and CSL references. how could a kid, especially a girl or one afraid of math not love it?
46 reviews
January 21, 2016
Babymouse is perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones, Ivy and Bean, Big Nate, Dork Diaries. Our brave young hero will lead her fellow Mathletes in the quest of a lifetime, a death-defying fight to win back both her school’s honor and the coveted GOLDEN SLIDE RULE. Can she conquer the evil Owlgorithms and her own personal dragon—MATH? Find out in Dragonslayer—the 11th hilarious, action-packed installment of the beloved Babymouse graphic novel series! Ages 7-10 and grades 2-5.
115 reviews10 followers
March 20, 2010
Another cute one. A little Lord of the Rings mixed in with Narnia and a contest for Babymouse, who is terrible at Math.That's really all you need to know. This is only the second one of these I've read, but they could be addicting. Beware !Early readers surely would love these. The art style perfectly fits the story.
3,188 reviews18 followers
January 19, 2011
This one was better than #10. It was really funny again. I really liked the illustrations like the right triangle mountains and the reference to different books. The only weird part was how it starts and ends about dragons but the main story is about the math olympics. I wasn't quite sure how it fit except that she defeated them both. I would have liked a full-on dragon book.
Profile Image for Jenna White.
39 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2011
Personally, I don't particularly like comic books and therefore was not quite into this book. I think comic books are more for fun and pleasure reading. I don't think that a book like this could ever be used in a classroom setting. Of course, reading should be fun for students but I just don't think that comicbook-like books could be used in an educational manner.
Profile Image for Deborah.
1,509 reviews24 followers
November 23, 2011
Babymouse scores an F- in math class. Her teacher tells her she can improve her grade if she helps the Mathletes team win the Golden Slide Rule. Is Babymouse the teammate prophesied to break the Owlgorithms winning streak or will she set the team up for failure once again?

Cute.

3rd-5th grade.
Profile Image for Mandy.
70 reviews
June 18, 2012
5Q, 4P
A distinctive visual style combined with a strong storyline, makes this a good choice for older beginning readers. The storyline and visuals allow for reading comprehension along several levels, and play on words increase depth and vocabulary. However, the visual style takes some getting used to and some readers may not enjoy the pink/white/black stylization.
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