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Marvin Redpost #1
Kidnapped At Birth?
This chapter book series by Newbery Honor–winning and bestselling author Louis Sachar features one hilariously overactive imagination!
Marvin Redpost has never felt like he fits in with his family. So when he hears a news report about a missing prince who looks just like him, he knows exactly what happened. Now all he has to do is tell Mr. and Mrs. Redpost that it’s time for him to move in with his real parents at the castle….
Hilarious and relatable, Marvin Redpost is perfect for kids who love to bond with quirky characters like Junie B. Jones and George Brown, Class Clown.
Marvin Redpost has never felt like he fits in with his family. So when he hears a news report about a missing prince who looks just like him, he knows exactly what happened. Now all he has to do is tell Mr. and Mrs. Redpost that it’s time for him to move in with his real parents at the castle….
Hilarious and relatable, Marvin Redpost is perfect for kids who love to bond with quirky characters like Junie B. Jones and George Brown, Class Clown.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
172 people are currently reading
939 people want to read
About the author
Louis Sachar
96 books4,711 followersLouis Sachar (pronounced Sacker), born March 20, 1954, is an American author of children's books.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
January 11, 2013
I recently finished reading Kidnapped at birth By: Louis Sachar. I really like this book because its a mystery in a way because he is trying to find out if he's the lost prince of Shampoon. Its also very funny because he stretches the truth alot and convinces his teachers, class mates, family and parents that he should be treated like a prince because he thinks he is. I think that the author did a good job with the detail and that also another reason I really like this book. I think that everybody likes Marvin because at one point he has to convince the teacher that he's the lost prince and when he doesn't have anymore reasons, all of his class mates come in and give other reasons. This book relates to me because marvin has two really good best friends and so do I. This book reminds me of another about three kids that try to solve mysteries. Anyway you should read this book, its great, short and easy.
March 17, 2020
Sweetly hilarious. I read this book aloud to my five-year-old, but I think I enjoyed it as much as she did! But what else would one expect from the author of Holes? 😄
March 6, 2011
Marvin Redpost Kidnapped at birth was an amazing thrill ride. The book was amazing, because it had everything a reader wants in a book. It had comedy suspense and over all it was just an awesome book. If I had to rate it I would give it a solid 9 because it was an amazing book , but some parts in the book weren't real interesting.
My favorite part was when Marvin called the King of Shampoon and the call attendant picked up the phone and she said her name was "Jennifer Duchess of Bathwater". I thought that this was the most hilarious part of the book. It was so funny because Marvin actually believed her.
The main character of the book is Marvin Redpost. He is a kid that doesn't think that he fits in his family because everyone in his family has brown hair with brown eyes and he has red hair with blue eyes. That is the reason why when the king started to look for his lost son Marvin thinks he is the prince.
I wish that the book went on longer because I wanted to see if the king ever found his son. It made you want to write to the author and tell him to make the book longer. That was the only problem about the book.
The book reminded me of a TV show I once watched. It was about famous celebrities trying to find more about their past. Both the show and the book are about trying to find out their past.
I hope you can read this book and have as much fun reading it as I did. I also hope that it makes you laugh until your stomach hurts. Have fun reading!
My favorite part was when Marvin called the King of Shampoon and the call attendant picked up the phone and she said her name was "Jennifer Duchess of Bathwater". I thought that this was the most hilarious part of the book. It was so funny because Marvin actually believed her.
The main character of the book is Marvin Redpost. He is a kid that doesn't think that he fits in his family because everyone in his family has brown hair with brown eyes and he has red hair with blue eyes. That is the reason why when the king started to look for his lost son Marvin thinks he is the prince.
I wish that the book went on longer because I wanted to see if the king ever found his son. It made you want to write to the author and tell him to make the book longer. That was the only problem about the book.
The book reminded me of a TV show I once watched. It was about famous celebrities trying to find more about their past. Both the show and the book are about trying to find out their past.
I hope you can read this book and have as much fun reading it as I did. I also hope that it makes you laugh until your stomach hurts. Have fun reading!
May 4, 2022
3.5/5 picked this up after a third class pupil (9year old) recommended it. I believe his exact words were "What?! You haven't read the Marvin Redpost books? But they're the funniest books ever!" So I really didn't have a choice but to give it a read!
This is a great short chapter book for emerging readers aged 7+ with a simple but interesting plot and a clear sense of humour throughout. I can completely understand why the pupil enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more of the series/ recommending them to future students!
This is a great short chapter book for emerging readers aged 7+ with a simple but interesting plot and a clear sense of humour throughout. I can completely understand why the pupil enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more of the series/ recommending them to future students!
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April 21, 2023Loved reading this with Nolan. The plot’s simple enough for young readers to follow while still having a lot of heart.
September 2, 2011
Reason for Reading: Son read aloud to me as his reader. This was his very first proper chapter book with one b/w drawing per chapter.
At a reading level of 1.9, this was a very good choice for my son's first chapter book. He did very well with the reading and was not intimidated with the full pages of text or infrequent b/w drawings. I have never read a Marvin Redpost book before and thought it was a fun story of a boy who reads in the paper that a King is coming to town searching for his lost son who was kidnapped at birth. Marvin just happens to match all the physical descriptions and since he's the only redhead in his family he thinks he may just be the missing Prince of Shampoon, so he goes through the procedures to find out if he is indeed really a Prince. A funny story. Ds did very well reading it, though he still needs sufficient help that he could not read a book like this on his own. Ds says he did not like the book at all, but he may be just in one of his moods as he didn't complain while reading it and certainly seemed to be enjoying the story as he read. But anyway, he's said he does not want to read anymore Marvin Redpost books. I would, if I had someone else to read them too. LOL. Maybe one day I'll set out to read all Louis Sachar's books, I've hardly read anything by him.
At a reading level of 1.9, this was a very good choice for my son's first chapter book. He did very well with the reading and was not intimidated with the full pages of text or infrequent b/w drawings. I have never read a Marvin Redpost book before and thought it was a fun story of a boy who reads in the paper that a King is coming to town searching for his lost son who was kidnapped at birth. Marvin just happens to match all the physical descriptions and since he's the only redhead in his family he thinks he may just be the missing Prince of Shampoon, so he goes through the procedures to find out if he is indeed really a Prince. A funny story. Ds did very well reading it, though he still needs sufficient help that he could not read a book like this on his own. Ds says he did not like the book at all, but he may be just in one of his moods as he didn't complain while reading it and certainly seemed to be enjoying the story as he read. But anyway, he's said he does not want to read anymore Marvin Redpost books. I would, if I had someone else to read them too. LOL. Maybe one day I'll set out to read all Louis Sachar's books, I've hardly read anything by him.
April 13, 2015
He was the one and only Marvin Redpost. He was a good boy.
Bahasanya mudah dimengerti. Cocok untuk anak-anak 7-11 tahun. Dengan ilustrasi khas tahun 90an, membuat buku ini terkesan antik.
Marvin memang berbeda dari kedua orangtuanya, dan kakak-adiknya. Mereka berambut dan bermata coklat, tapi Marvin berambut merah dan bermata biru. Seperti Pangeran Robert yang hilang, anak dari Raja Shampoon.
Marvin berpikir mungkin dia bukan anak keluarga Redpost. Mungkin dialah Pangeran Robert yang dicari-cari itu. Hingga akhirnya ia meminta sang ibu mengantarnya ke suatu tempat untuk cek darah. Bila dia benar-benar berdarah O negatif, dia memang Pangeran Robert.
Yang bisa dipelajari: jangan ragu dengan keluargamu yang sebenarnya. Walaupun kau berbeda ciri fisik dari seluruh anggota keluargamu, itu berarti kau spesial. Cerita yang menarik.
Bahasanya mudah dimengerti. Cocok untuk anak-anak 7-11 tahun. Dengan ilustrasi khas tahun 90an, membuat buku ini terkesan antik.
Marvin memang berbeda dari kedua orangtuanya, dan kakak-adiknya. Mereka berambut dan bermata coklat, tapi Marvin berambut merah dan bermata biru. Seperti Pangeran Robert yang hilang, anak dari Raja Shampoon.
Marvin berpikir mungkin dia bukan anak keluarga Redpost. Mungkin dialah Pangeran Robert yang dicari-cari itu. Hingga akhirnya ia meminta sang ibu mengantarnya ke suatu tempat untuk cek darah. Bila dia benar-benar berdarah O negatif, dia memang Pangeran Robert.
Yang bisa dipelajari: jangan ragu dengan keluargamu yang sebenarnya. Walaupun kau berbeda ciri fisik dari seluruh anggota keluargamu, itu berarti kau spesial. Cerita yang menarik.
March 27, 2015
My 7th Book Review This Year
I just finished my 7th book, Marvin Redpost 1 this year in English. I realized that I am 4 books behind schedule.
The book was really easy for me to read, but the story was interesting. Marvin is third grade student and thinking that he was kidnapped at birth. He has believed that he was a prince.
The funny part of this book was his family and friends pretended to believe that he was a prince. Nobody didn't say that he wasn't a prince to Marvin. The great thing was he realized that his family was the most important for him at the end of the story.
I want to read the sequel tomorrow.
I just finished my 7th book, Marvin Redpost 1 this year in English. I realized that I am 4 books behind schedule.
The book was really easy for me to read, but the story was interesting. Marvin is third grade student and thinking that he was kidnapped at birth. He has believed that he was a prince.
The funny part of this book was his family and friends pretended to believe that he was a prince. Nobody didn't say that he wasn't a prince to Marvin. The great thing was he realized that his family was the most important for him at the end of the story.
I want to read the sequel tomorrow.
September 2, 2011
My daughter borrowed this book at the library and left it on the dining room table today so I had a quick read with a cuppa!
I thought it was a great book for kids - it is accessible and funny, Marvin is a likeable character, who is left handed and writes too fast (much like my daughter!) I found the interactions with his school friends and family tp be authentic and made me smile.
The book is good choice for young readers who're ready for longer, chapter books as the humourous story and dialog is easy to read and overall the book isn't too intimidating in length or content.
I thought it was a great book for kids - it is accessible and funny, Marvin is a likeable character, who is left handed and writes too fast (much like my daughter!) I found the interactions with his school friends and family tp be authentic and made me smile.
The book is good choice for young readers who're ready for longer, chapter books as the humourous story and dialog is easy to read and overall the book isn't too intimidating in length or content.
December 24, 2007
I bought the Marvin Redpost series because I love reading the hilarious Wayside School books.
Marvin was born with red hair, which is same as the lost son of the royal family. When many kids in the US. rush to try the blood test, Marvin refuses as he knows it's best for him to stay with his own family.
An easy reading. Yet somewhat boring.
Marvin was born with red hair, which is same as the lost son of the royal family. When many kids in the US. rush to try the blood test, Marvin refuses as he knows it's best for him to stay with his own family.
An easy reading. Yet somewhat boring.
September 23, 2020
It's ok I never actually found out if he was the prince
September 2, 2025
#ماروین_نارنجی_و_شاهزاده_گمشده، #لوییس_سکر، ترجمهی #راحله_پورآذر، نشر #منظومه_خرد
به نظرم داستان برای مخاطبان کودک جذاب و گیراست. دغدغهی ذهنی خیلی از کودکان این است که شاید خانوادهی واقعیشان همین خانوادهای که با آنها زندهگی میکنند نیست و این کتاب از زاویهی جالبی به این موضوع نگاه کرده. به خصوص پایان داستان کمی غیرمنتظره است. امتیاز: ۴ از ۱۰.
(خطر لو رفتن داستان (اسپویل))
ماروین به دلیل تفاوتهایی که در شکل ظاهری با خانواده دارد و ضمنا چپدست است و برخی شباهتها که با شاهزادهی گمشدهی شامپون دارد، تصور میکند که هنگام تولد دزدیده شده است. او ماجرای پیچیدهای را در ذهن خود خلق میکند تا آنجا که با اعلام پادشاه شامپون و اقامت او در هتلی در واشنگتن برای تشخیص هویت فرزند گمشدهاش، ماروین هم از خانوادهاش میخواهد که او را به آنجا ببرند. هتل پر از کودکانی است که مانند ماروین تصور میکنند شاهزاده هستند. ماروین با آن که در آزمون اول که آزمون گروه خونی است موفق میشود ولی زمانی که به خانوادهی خود فکر میکند تصمیم میگیرد آزمون مرحلهی دوم را ندهد و پیش خانوادهاش برگردد.
به نظرم داستان برای مخاطبان کودک جذاب و گیراست. دغدغهی ذهنی خیلی از کودکان این است که شاید خانوادهی واقعیشان همین خانوادهای که با آنها زندهگی میکنند نیست و این کتاب از زاویهی جالبی به این موضوع نگاه کرده. به خصوص پایان داستان کمی غیرمنتظره است. امتیاز: ۴ از ۱۰.
(خطر لو رفتن داستان (اسپویل))
ماروین به دلیل تفاوتهایی که در شکل ظاهری با خانواده دارد و ضمنا چپدست است و برخی شباهتها که با شاهزادهی گمشدهی شامپون دارد، تصور میکند که هنگام تولد دزدیده شده است. او ماجرای پیچیدهای را در ذهن خود خلق میکند تا آنجا که با اعلام پادشاه شامپون و اقامت او در هتلی در واشنگتن برای تشخیص هویت فرزند گمشدهاش، ماروین هم از خانوادهاش میخواهد که او را به آنجا ببرند. هتل پر از کودکانی است که مانند ماروین تصور میکنند شاهزاده هستند. ماروین با آن که در آزمون اول که آزمون گروه خونی است موفق میشود ولی زمانی که به خانوادهی خود فکر میکند تصمیم میگیرد آزمون مرحلهی دوم را ندهد و پیش خانوادهاش برگردد.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2018
I don't remember ever believing that I was secretly adopted or switched at birth, but I can see how growing up there are times in a kid's life when they want to believe that they are meant for something greater (like being a prince) or simply don't belong with a family they may not be liking too much at that moment. I'm at the point where it more brought up questions about how I'd handle that sort of question if raised by my own kids (probably much less matter-of-factly than the parents in the book) than reinforced something I was worrying about myself.
Overall, it was a short read, entertaining but not outrageously so. I did like that the ending managed to be ambiguous while still giving a clear resolution.
Overall, it was a short read, entertaining but not outrageously so. I did like that the ending managed to be ambiguous while still giving a clear resolution.
February 11, 2018
This is hilarious. Marvin thought he was kidnapped when he was a baby in hospital. He thought the king visiting a city near from his house is the real father because he has red hair as the same as Marvin. He thought that he is special and has royal blood. That got everyone involved around Marvin: his classmates, teacher, family, and a lady Jeniffer.
What I like the most in this book is that no one even adults denied Marvin. Especially, I like Jeniffer. She is polite to Marvin. Their conversations are charming :)
What I like the most in this book is that no one even adults denied Marvin. Especially, I like Jeniffer. She is polite to Marvin. Their conversations are charming :)
November 23, 2019
This is a cute chapter book that follows Marvin. Marvin thinks he may be the long lost Prince of Shampoon. He's convinced that he is not related to his mom and dad because he has red hair, and his family members do not. When the King of Shampoon announces on the news that he is in the states to find his baby who was kidnapped 9 years ago, Marvin is convinced he is that baby because the baby had red hair. Marvin goes as far as having a blood test done, but in the end he realizes that he has one family that loves him, and who he would miss. So, he decides he is in fact Marvin.
September 8, 2020
The premise is pretty simple, and pretty silly: A nine year old boy is given plausible reason to believe he is the lost son of an obscure king, kidnapped at birth and accidentally sent home with the wrong parents. The execution mostly avoids broad strokes for humor that’s based on the warmth and kindness between its characters. Decency and good manners carry the day, and the ending is as perfect as you could imagine. My boys and I laughed mightily, and are eager to get to the next book in the series.
January 13, 2020
When I learned that I was going to be teaching this series, I was pretty meh about it, for all I like Sachar's other books. After reading this book, I am so happy that I am.
This book was just fun, but more than that, they kept their whimsical mystery mostly a mystery. It doesn't need to wrap things up, but left just a little bit of an improbable question there (I love that the question mark in the title proved to be perfect).
This book was just fun, but more than that, they kept their whimsical mystery mostly a mystery. It doesn't need to wrap things up, but left just a little bit of an improbable question there (I love that the question mark in the title proved to be perfect).
October 5, 2017
Suka sama keluarga Redpost. Marvinnya belum terlalu kelihatan karakternya, tapi seperti anggota keluarga Redpost yang lain, Marvin anak yang penyayang dan menyenangkan.
Buku yang singkat, cocok dibaca oleh si anak yang mulai belajar membaca buku berbahasa Inggris. Ilustrasinya juga sukaaaa. Dapat yang versi ilustrasi menggunakan pensil.
Buku yang singkat, cocok dibaca oleh si anak yang mulai belajar membaca buku berbahasa Inggris. Ilustrasinya juga sukaaaa. Dapat yang versi ilustrasi menggunakan pensil.
April 3, 2020
Honestly, I wasn't in love with this book. I feel like there was a lot of darkness for an opening volume in an early chapter book series, and not in a sensitive way. I get the audience he was trying to appeal to, but I think he could've done better, especially since it's Louis Sachar, a true master of children's literature.
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October 8, 2024Punkte ei pane, sest:
1. lugesin tundmatu kurgukatarri käes vaeveldes ja oli vaja VÄGA LIHTSAT TEKSTI.
2. ma pole sihtgrupp, kes samas kiitis heaks ja tahab järgmist osa lugeda.
3. olin enne lugenud sama autori raamatut "Augud", mis on lihtsalt väga hea, väga hea! Need ei mahu päris ühele pulgale.
Eesti Lastekirjanduse Keskus soovitab ja ma ka tegelikult :)
1. lugesin tundmatu kurgukatarri käes vaeveldes ja oli vaja VÄGA LIHTSAT TEKSTI.
2. ma pole sihtgrupp, kes samas kiitis heaks ja tahab järgmist osa lugeda.
3. olin enne lugenud sama autori raamatut "Augud", mis on lihtsalt väga hea, väga hea! Need ei mahu päris ühele pulgale.
Eesti Lastekirjanduse Keskus soovitab ja ma ka tegelikult :)
January 1, 2018
Nice story about a potential missing heir of a King - the mind gymnastics are delightful! And the parents are just incredible, going along with the kid without making fun of him at any point. Parenting goals for sure!
July 6, 2019
While looking for good children's books to start a little book club with children; who are learning English as a foreign language, I found that this book is a funny and helpful one to add to the list!
2.5 🌟
2.5 🌟
April 9, 2020
Marvin is convinced that he looks so different from his family because he is really the missing prince Shampoon. The author put a lot of detail into this story and it is filled with suspense, comedy and is just a fun book to read. You could use this book in a first grade classroom.
May 13, 2022
It was interesting. I want to read it again. Marvin thinks he is the lost prince of Shampoon. I think he is. he thinks He is not because he does not speak with an accent. Honestly, you would not speak an accent if you were not near that country.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
Louis Sachar has a flair for the ridiculous and he shines in this fun story of Marvin Redpost. Marvin could be a male version of Junie B. Jones. He is silly and outrageous! And guaranteed to get you laughing!
November 19, 2017
It was an exciting and interesting book but wasn't my cup of tea😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2018
Red-haired Marvin is convinced that the reason he looks different from the rest of his family is that he is really the lost prince of Shampoon.
March 20, 2018
از همین عنوانش معلومه چه ترچمه ای داشته دیگه...؟
داستان خوب و جذابی داشت، مناسب برای دبستان!
داستان خوب و جذابی داشت، مناسب برای دبستان!
March 31, 2018
I read this book out loud to my 6 year old. She loved it. She was excited to turn each page and literally watched my face and mouth as I read to her. Loved the ending and the choice he made!
May 26, 2018
재미있었다!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews