Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead!

Martin Bridge #3

by Jessica Scott Kerrin

Martin Bridge returns with more daily slice-of-life adventures. This time, Martin's first overnight camping trip with the Junior Badgers is going to be a weekend with the works! There are badges to earn, gooey campfire treats to eat, hiking trails to explore ? and Alex's pranks to avoid. But when Martin finds himself on the receiving end of his friend's horror-movie slime, it's payback time! Join Martin Bridge as he blazes ahead with a flashy campfire performance, an inspired prank of his own, some lightning-fast bicycle repairs and a surefire way to make his father's old lawn mower go like blazes.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, 2nd Grade

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Meghan Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a reading tutor for elementary school students, and we all agreed that this book was "okay". Yes, Martin learned some valuable life lessons in the two stories in this book, but they were nothing groundbreaking.

[rory · Rating 2 out of 5]

it’s mediocre ig, nothing stands out. this feels like grade 4 level

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of two stories in this third Martin Bridge book involves a junior scout troop, a cookout, and a prankster with a jar of slime. In the second, Martin’s dad refuses to buy a new lawn mower, and each time the old one breaks down Martin has to help Dad fix it, causing him to miss his favorite Zip Rideout TV show. The latter story shines as Martin begins to recognize the value of time spent working together on the mower. Kelly’s graphite and charcoal drawings wonderfully complement the stories, which have a moral but are not heavy-handed. Martin is a dynamic character whose thoughts and actions are realistic, making him an admirable protagonist. Introduce your students who are ready for chapter books with heart to Martin and his friends.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a few years since my daughter and I have read a book in the Martin Bridge series, I remember really liking them though and grabbed this one up when I saw it at the library. Now I remember what it was that I enjoyed so much about these books: details. Jessica Scott Kerrin does a delightful job with descriptive writing that is often over looked in children’s small chapter books. She does a lovely job of very clearly painting the setting, tone and emotions of the characters. This is a wonderful series to share with (or encourage independent reading) with 2nd grade on up.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've tried. I really tried. This was recommended to us by our librarian. I have been reading it aloud to our class. It hasn't been a hit as a read-aloud. It might be better as an individual read. The chapters go on for way too long. We are going to abandon it and move on to something else.

....and I can't find a website for the author. I did find her on a Nova Scotia writer's website though. What author in this day and age doesn't have a website?? She is a Canadian author, so I was really trying. Sorry Jessica Scott Kerrin! It didn't work out.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little boy story (for and about)

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Martin and his friends and families and I especially liked the Slime recipe and Morse Code additions at the end.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average realistic fiction; typical daily kid adventures. Solid but not spectacular. 1st to 3rd grade reading level.

[Kerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

On the county summer reading list for third graders. Read it with my 8yo daughter and both of us thought it was pretty lame.