What do you think?
Rate this book
Marvin Redpost #3
Is He a Girl?
This chapter book in Newbery Honor–winning and bestselling author Louis Sachar’s Marvin Redpost series offers a sidesplitting take on the differences between girls and boys!
When Casey Happleton tells Marvin that if you kiss your elbow you’ll turn into a girl, Marvin doesn’t believe it. Then Marvin kisses his elbow by accident and starts to feel very strange. He wants pigtails and starts dotting his i’s with little hearts. Could Casey be right? Or is it all in Marvin’s head? You decide!
Hilarious and relatable, Marvin Redpost is perfect for kids who love to bond with quirky characters like George Brown, Class Clown and Junie B. Jones.
When Casey Happleton tells Marvin that if you kiss your elbow you’ll turn into a girl, Marvin doesn’t believe it. Then Marvin kisses his elbow by accident and starts to feel very strange. He wants pigtails and starts dotting his i’s with little hearts. Could Casey be right? Or is it all in Marvin’s head? You decide!
Hilarious and relatable, Marvin Redpost is perfect for kids who love to bond with quirky characters like George Brown, Class Clown and Junie B. Jones.
78 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
96 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Louis Sachar
96 books4,696 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
May 24, 2016
I know it seems like we're reading these books to keep up with the times... what with just finishing There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. I'm not trying to make any political statement with these books. We HAD been reading Paper Wishes, but the girls seemed to tire of it. And Gwen came home on her last week of library saying that all books had to be in by May 16th, so we had to read this RIGHT! NOW! Because LOOK!: Louis Sachar! Her library has LOUIS SACHAR!
And I'd never even heard of this Marvin Redpost character.
I thought it was quite good.
I'll start with Gwen, since she found the book.
Gwen?
Gwen: What?
Dad: What'd you think?
Gwen: I liked it.
Poppy: I liked it, too.
Dad: Can you give us a brief synopsis.
Gwen: What does that mean?
Eleanor: Do you know what a summary is?
Gwen: No.
Eleanor: Well, you tell a little bit about the book. But you don't give away the ending.
Dad: So, Gwen, can you give a synopsis?
Gwen: It was um. About a boy. And he kissed his elbow, and. Um. He turned into a girl... a little bit.
Dad: What do you mean, "a little bit?"
Gwen: He wasn't... I mean, he wasn't looking exactly like a girl. I think.
Dad: Eleanor, do you want to add to that synopsis? I mean, did he really turn into a girl?
Eleanor: Well, when he was a girl, he was a little bit different. He was like, "girls are so pretty. And it's so much fun to be girl" and when he was a boy he was like, "I'd hate to be a girl, it doesn't sound like fun at all." And he was really a girl.
Dad: That's weird, because I wasn't sure that he really turned into a girl. I thought maybe he did, maybe he didn't. Maybe he only thought he did, and his pretending became real to him. Like, sometimes I think Seena and Bleeya
Poppy: Why did you say Seena and Bleeya?
Dad: Seena and Bleeya are Poppy's friends, right?
Poppy: Right. Why did you say that?
Dad: Poppy, are Seena and Bleeya real?
Poppy: YES!
Dad: Or are they just pretend?
Gwen: They're just pretend.
Poppy: They're real! Hmmmph. *Turns away.*
Dad: Well, lets not talk about Seena and Bleeya anymore.
Eleanor: Were you just trying to prove a point?
Dad: Kindof. My point is that sometimes people think and pretend things, and pretend enough that they actually wonder if what they're pretending is real. I think it happens more with kids than adults, and more with little kids than big kids, but sometimes it can happen with big kids and adults, too. Does that make sense?
Eleanor: Yeah.
Dad: So, here's my point: it's tough to know whether Marvin was just pretending he was a girl, and coming to believe it - or whether he really turned into a girl.
Eleanor: Do you want to know one of the reasons I thought he was a girl?
Dad: Yeah.
Eleanor: Because his mom and dad were like, "What happened to you? WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" And I was wondering why else would they say that?
Dad: Yeah, he wrote it in a way that we'll never know for sure, right?
Eleanor: Dad?
Dad: Yeah?
Eleanor: *Real seriously* I didn't like the book. ...I LOVED IT!
Poppy: Dad? I didn't like the book. I LOVED IT!
Gwen: *sighs* That's what I was gonna say.
Dad: Poppy, do you want to tell your favorite part?
Poppy: I liked the part when he turned into a girl. And I liked the part when he was a girl.
Dad: Gwen?
Gwen: My favorite part was when his sister said, "Oooo! I always wanted to have a sister."
Eleanor: My favorite character was Linzy, but I also liked Marvin Redpost, because without Marvin Redpost, there would be no, "Marvin Redpost: Is He a Girl?"
Dad: Do you want to know my favorite part?
All: Yeah!
Dad: When he was at school, and Casey Happleton told him that kissing your elbow made you turn into a girl, and you could tell Marvin was skeptical, but really wanted to see if it was true. But he was really embarrassed to admit that he wanted to see if it was true. So he had to pretend that he was too cool to try it.
Eleanor: Dad, if it wasn't true, why did Casey say it?
Dad: Who knows? Maybe Casey believed it. Maybe Casey was just playing around? Gwen had some friends tell her zombies were really. It really scared Gwen, but zombies aren't real. ...Probably...
And I'd never even heard of this Marvin Redpost character.
I thought it was quite good.
I'll start with Gwen, since she found the book.
Gwen?
Gwen: What?
Dad: What'd you think?
Gwen: I liked it.
Poppy: I liked it, too.
Dad: Can you give us a brief synopsis.
Gwen: What does that mean?
Eleanor: Do you know what a summary is?
Gwen: No.
Eleanor: Well, you tell a little bit about the book. But you don't give away the ending.
Dad: So, Gwen, can you give a synopsis?
Gwen: It was um. About a boy. And he kissed his elbow, and. Um. He turned into a girl... a little bit.
Dad: What do you mean, "a little bit?"
Gwen: He wasn't... I mean, he wasn't looking exactly like a girl. I think.
Dad: Eleanor, do you want to add to that synopsis? I mean, did he really turn into a girl?
Eleanor: Well, when he was a girl, he was a little bit different. He was like, "girls are so pretty. And it's so much fun to be girl" and when he was a boy he was like, "I'd hate to be a girl, it doesn't sound like fun at all." And he was really a girl.
Dad: That's weird, because I wasn't sure that he really turned into a girl. I thought maybe he did, maybe he didn't. Maybe he only thought he did, and his pretending became real to him. Like, sometimes I think Seena and Bleeya
Poppy: Why did you say Seena and Bleeya?
Dad: Seena and Bleeya are Poppy's friends, right?
Poppy: Right. Why did you say that?
Dad: Poppy, are Seena and Bleeya real?
Poppy: YES!
Dad: Or are they just pretend?
Gwen: They're just pretend.
Poppy: They're real! Hmmmph. *Turns away.*
Dad: Well, lets not talk about Seena and Bleeya anymore.
Eleanor: Were you just trying to prove a point?
Dad: Kindof. My point is that sometimes people think and pretend things, and pretend enough that they actually wonder if what they're pretending is real. I think it happens more with kids than adults, and more with little kids than big kids, but sometimes it can happen with big kids and adults, too. Does that make sense?
Eleanor: Yeah.
Dad: So, here's my point: it's tough to know whether Marvin was just pretending he was a girl, and coming to believe it - or whether he really turned into a girl.
Eleanor: Do you want to know one of the reasons I thought he was a girl?
Dad: Yeah.
Eleanor: Because his mom and dad were like, "What happened to you? WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" And I was wondering why else would they say that?
Dad: Yeah, he wrote it in a way that we'll never know for sure, right?
Eleanor: Dad?
Dad: Yeah?
Eleanor: *Real seriously* I didn't like the book. ...I LOVED IT!
Poppy: Dad? I didn't like the book. I LOVED IT!
Gwen: *sighs* That's what I was gonna say.
Dad: Poppy, do you want to tell your favorite part?
Poppy: I liked the part when he turned into a girl. And I liked the part when he was a girl.
Dad: Gwen?
Gwen: My favorite part was when his sister said, "Oooo! I always wanted to have a sister."
Eleanor: My favorite character was Linzy, but I also liked Marvin Redpost, because without Marvin Redpost, there would be no, "Marvin Redpost: Is He a Girl?"
Dad: Do you want to know my favorite part?
All: Yeah!
Dad: When he was at school, and Casey Happleton told him that kissing your elbow made you turn into a girl, and you could tell Marvin was skeptical, but really wanted to see if it was true. But he was really embarrassed to admit that he wanted to see if it was true. So he had to pretend that he was too cool to try it.
Eleanor: Dad, if it wasn't true, why did Casey say it?
Dad: Who knows? Maybe Casey believed it. Maybe Casey was just playing around? Gwen had some friends tell her zombies were really. It really scared Gwen, but zombies aren't real. ...Probably...
January 30, 2011
With the right discussion, this book could be a good way to bring trans issues up with kids. Unfortunately, without that it's easy for a reader of the book to slip into a terrible vortex of reinforced gender stereotypes.
It's hard for me to tell if the author intended for this story to chip away at cis-centered ideas or if they just wanted to play off of the standard "ewww boys/girls" mentality. Given a few very positive scenes, I'm willing to extend the benefit of the doubt.
It's hard for me to tell if the author intended for this story to chip away at cis-centered ideas or if they just wanted to play off of the standard "ewww boys/girls" mentality. Given a few very positive scenes, I'm willing to extend the benefit of the doubt.
July 23, 2015
Reading this with any kind of social justice lens completely eliminates any attempts as humor within the writing, but I probably could have told you that after just reading the short blurb on the back cover. I was unimpressed--yes, this was written in the 90s, but there are so many identities trivialized and gender stereotypes reinforced with "boy things" and "girl things."
January 14, 2021
This is in no way a book about trans-ness. It was published in 1993, when trans people were more often the butt of a cruel joke than an actual character in anything. However, I do think Sachar was intending to send a positive message about gender equality/neutrality.
Near the end of the book, Marvin realizes "the secret difference between boys & girls" but immediately forgets what it is. I took Sachar as saying that there is no difference. That's why he can't remember it. We are all people and all people are different in different ways. It's interesting how he describes the characters in this book from each others' point of view. He mentions the strengths and limitations of both boys and girls. But only boys and girls.
There is definitely some out-dated humor but overall, I think Sachar does a good job of making the story believable. His writing is as good as always. However, I would NOT recommend this book to ANYONE, especially someone questioning their gender identity. It's not overtly offensive but it could absolutely be taken the wrong way.
While I believe this is unintentional, the book just doesn't portray a healthy view of gender and gender roles. Obviously, it's totally ignorant of the social changes since it was written, which is exactly why it should be removed from shelves. We need to let go of old ideas and make room for new, better, healthier, more realistic and inclusive ones.
Near the end of the book, Marvin realizes "the secret difference between boys & girls" but immediately forgets what it is. I took Sachar as saying that there is no difference. That's why he can't remember it. We are all people and all people are different in different ways. It's interesting how he describes the characters in this book from each others' point of view. He mentions the strengths and limitations of both boys and girls. But only boys and girls.
There is definitely some out-dated humor but overall, I think Sachar does a good job of making the story believable. His writing is as good as always. However, I would NOT recommend this book to ANYONE, especially someone questioning their gender identity. It's not overtly offensive but it could absolutely be taken the wrong way.
While I believe this is unintentional, the book just doesn't portray a healthy view of gender and gender roles. Obviously, it's totally ignorant of the social changes since it was written, which is exactly why it should be removed from shelves. We need to let go of old ideas and make room for new, better, healthier, more realistic and inclusive ones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2022
'Is He a Girl?' is a fun book about a boy named Marvin who is told by one of his classmates that if he kissed his elbow, he would turn into a girl. Marvin spent all day trying to kiss his elbow, but kept telling the reader that he didn't want to be a girl. Well, at least not forever. Throughout the book, Marvin imagines what it would be like to be a girl and at one point he started to think and act like a girl. At first he was freaked out about it because he didn't want to be seen as weird by his friends and classmates, but after a while, he became okay with the thought of being a girl. This book isn't banned, but it's another frequently challenged book because it takes about gender identity, a topic not so accepted in American society. The topic about exploring your gender is very frowned upon because many people believe that we're born this way for a reason, but many people believe that they were born in the wrong body.
I loved that this book touched on this topic because there's a lot of young children who start to explore their gender identity and they might feel ashamed of that. This book confirmed that it's okay to be different and it's okay to explore your identity. The world is changing and we should make children feel accepted no matter who they want to be.
I loved that this book touched on this topic because there's a lot of young children who start to explore their gender identity and they might feel ashamed of that. This book confirmed that it's okay to be different and it's okay to explore your identity. The world is changing and we should make children feel accepted no matter who they want to be.
June 9, 2013
The title of this book is very attractive. Is He A Girl? First I wonder that is this book about how a boy got mistreated like a girl. But after I read it, I found out the story is not like this.
So Marvin has been told he'll turn into a girl if he kisses his elbow. After his lips "accidentally" touch his elbow, he wonders if it is happening. Actually I had try that before, but it's very diffucult and I have never touch it. When we were small, we always believed the stuffs that other people told us. I used to believed that when we look at the mirror at two p.m., we will see the face of ourselves in the future. It's kind of scary to me, and I was afraid to go to the bathroom at night. But when I grow up, I stop believe that because I am in touch with science more and know myth is not real.
So Marvin has been told he'll turn into a girl if he kisses his elbow. After his lips "accidentally" touch his elbow, he wonders if it is happening. Actually I had try that before, but it's very diffucult and I have never touch it. When we were small, we always believed the stuffs that other people told us. I used to believed that when we look at the mirror at two p.m., we will see the face of ourselves in the future. It's kind of scary to me, and I was afraid to go to the bathroom at night. But when I grow up, I stop believe that because I am in touch with science more and know myth is not real.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2020
This was the closest to representation I found as a transgender child in the 90's, and it doesn't disappoint. I felt seen by this book, and Louis Sachar's prose is honestly still just as delightful.
October 27, 2025
A foundational text for a certain little kid who wouldn't go on to figure out her whole deal for another twenty years or so. I bought a used copy of this on a nostalgic whim and really got my money's worth -- this thing is a thermonuclear nostalgia bomb. I was surprised to find that I vividly recalled nearly every beat in this story decades later and some of the passages still manage to bring me right back to the edge of the vast ocean of feelings I originally got when first reading this a lifetime ago. I don't think Mr. Sachar intentionally set out to write something that would resonate quite this hard with a certain set of readers, but the empathetic tone and thoughtfulness carries this little story far beyond its silly premise. Marvin's childish gender anxieties and observations as he crosses the binary are given ample room to breathe, and in doing so, are allowed to bloom into something echoing the trans experience with uncanny precision. (For his part, Marvin ultimately returns to boyhood a changed man, with a bit more compassion for his female peers having had a taste of life from their perspective.)
Honestly, the reactionaries *should* be afraid of this one -- reading this in elementary school made me feel seen in a way that I would end up chasing for the next couple decades of my life. There is a profound transformational power embedded in the act of letting a questioning child see their thoughts put to paper in a kind, judgement-free way and giving them the opportunity to see through other people's eyes, if just for a few minutes.
Anyway, I was surprised at just how well this holds up as a breezy but engaging chapter book (Sachar's ability shines through, even in such a simplified, condensed form) and I think discerning readers will recognize that the simple, often ignorant, "boys vs girls" observations are the internalized thoughts of the grade schooler telling the story and not necessarily those of the author. I recommend seeking out the older printings of this one just for the loose and kooky illustrations, though; it's a real vibe.
Addendum: Having finished my re-read, I now have the palpable sensation that I am owed a personal pan pizza and a sticker on a chart somewhere.
Honestly, the reactionaries *should* be afraid of this one -- reading this in elementary school made me feel seen in a way that I would end up chasing for the next couple decades of my life. There is a profound transformational power embedded in the act of letting a questioning child see their thoughts put to paper in a kind, judgement-free way and giving them the opportunity to see through other people's eyes, if just for a few minutes.
Anyway, I was surprised at just how well this holds up as a breezy but engaging chapter book (Sachar's ability shines through, even in such a simplified, condensed form) and I think discerning readers will recognize that the simple, often ignorant, "boys vs girls" observations are the internalized thoughts of the grade schooler telling the story and not necessarily those of the author. I recommend seeking out the older printings of this one just for the loose and kooky illustrations, though; it's a real vibe.
Addendum: Having finished my re-read, I now have the palpable sensation that I am owed a personal pan pizza and a sticker on a chart somewhere.
January 3, 2020
Marvin discovers that boys and girls aren't so different after all. A 3.5 rating for a solid, quick read that has a good lesson packed inside.
April 2, 2015
My 9th Book in English This Year
A couple of days ago I finished my 9th book, Marvin Redpost #3 Is He a Girl? in English. The book is good for me to know useful terms in English. The protagonist is a third grade student and every time I read this series, the contents remind me of my childhood.
In this book, he grew up a little bit. I still remember when I was a third grade. All my male classmates seemed to be so childish. I think girls grow up a little bit faster than boys. My grow speed was slower compared to my other classmates. I think for some a little bit mature students I seemed to be really immature.
I enjoyed this third book to go back to be a third grade.
A couple of days ago I finished my 9th book, Marvin Redpost #3 Is He a Girl? in English. The book is good for me to know useful terms in English. The protagonist is a third grade student and every time I read this series, the contents remind me of my childhood.
In this book, he grew up a little bit. I still remember when I was a third grade. All my male classmates seemed to be so childish. I think girls grow up a little bit faster than boys. My grow speed was slower compared to my other classmates. I think for some a little bit mature students I seemed to be really immature.
I enjoyed this third book to go back to be a third grade.
February 1, 2019
It's cute tale of one little boy's gander at the differences between boys and girls. If you kiss your elbow, you turn into a girl, or so the rumor has. Well with tangled sheet and a rough night's sleep Marvin embarks on an adventure.
September 27, 2017
I do not like this book. It was really bad. Louis Sachar you can do better.
July 10, 2025
Do you ever read an author's list of book titles and realize now might be the time you have to side-eye your heroes?
What a relief that "Is He a Girl?" is, well, OK.
Age appropriate in reading level, subject matter, etc; it's a good read. I wasn't crazy about the illustration style in the version I read (which I think is different than the one I've selected here on Goodreads -- sorry! The one I read was kind of... MS Paint?) but overall it was... fine. Pretty cute, kinda funny, a nice way to start a conversation and very open in that it's really not saying much except that boys can have 'girl' thoughts and tendancies and that's OK because girls are actually... smart? cute? cool? priveleged in their own right? It's a tricky space to be in today, and in that sense this book benefits from the innocence and simplicity of being released before the blatant nationwide attack on trans kids and gender discussions in the U.S.
When faced with the prospect that he could turn into a girl, Marvin starts to question himself and the stereotypes around boys and girls. Basically, a grade-schooler has an existential crisis about gender identity and what the difference really even is between genders.
SPOILERS BELOW here:
Marvin pierces the veil of the gender divide and stops just short of finding out there is no actual gender divide, only societal expectations, before he falls off the playground equipment and turns himself back into a boy. (By kissing his elbow, per classroom lore, which is how he turned himself into a girl in the first place.)
It also has some discussion around bullying, being yourself, and standing up for what's right.
What a relief that "Is He a Girl?" is, well, OK.
Age appropriate in reading level, subject matter, etc; it's a good read. I wasn't crazy about the illustration style in the version I read (which I think is different than the one I've selected here on Goodreads -- sorry! The one I read was kind of... MS Paint?) but overall it was... fine. Pretty cute, kinda funny, a nice way to start a conversation and very open in that it's really not saying much except that boys can have 'girl' thoughts and tendancies and that's OK because girls are actually... smart? cute? cool? priveleged in their own right? It's a tricky space to be in today, and in that sense this book benefits from the innocence and simplicity of being released before the blatant nationwide attack on trans kids and gender discussions in the U.S.
When faced with the prospect that he could turn into a girl, Marvin starts to question himself and the stereotypes around boys and girls. Basically, a grade-schooler has an existential crisis about gender identity and what the difference really even is between genders.
SPOILERS BELOW here:
Marvin pierces the veil of the gender divide and stops just short of finding out there is no actual gender divide, only societal expectations, before he falls off the playground equipment and turns himself back into a boy. (By kissing his elbow, per classroom lore, which is how he turned himself into a girl in the first place.)
It also has some discussion around bullying, being yourself, and standing up for what's right.
Read
November 30, 2023I think I read this when I was 8. (I vaguely remember stealing it from the teacher's library). he just had gender dysphoria (I've been there🤭)
September 9, 2023
I feel the need to say that my 7 year old rated this book not me…. Lol
Read
December 9, 2023If I could give this a negative star, I would. Not a book for young children who are growing in their self-awareness and identity. What a confusing message for young children, especially boys. Junk book.
September 23, 2022
I loved this. It asked many great questions. Why do my male friends tease and hurt girls in the class. Why can't I have female friends? I like color and sparkling things so does that make me a girl? Can I get hurt and admit I got hurt. I would recommend this to any boy or girl to read.
September 15, 2021
I have no frigging clue why people act like being gay is something we invented in 2011. This is the most queer energy I have seen in a children's book in a long time. Because it's the author of Holes I believe Sackar did it on purpose.
Like, Marvin is a trans girl who gets told kissing his/her elbow would turn him into a girl (throughout the book Marvin insists he's a boy and uses he/him pronouns so that's how we're going now.). Throughout the book Marvin struggles with his identity until he realizes he knows The Secret about girls and also The Secret about boys.
I would not hesitate to hand this to a child. It's subtle, and if they related to Marvin I'd have a few follow up questions. Anywho, I'm glad it's 2021 and sometimes boys get to wear dresses and have long hair because they bloody well feel like it.
More power to Marvin. Super old book, def not trash, but also not about to win a Newberry.
ETA: There was some ridiculously sexist misogynistic shit that slipped by me because I was romantisizing my childhood again. Ie. "Boys are smarter than girls" 🙄
Like, Marvin is a trans girl who gets told kissing his/her elbow would turn him into a girl (throughout the book Marvin insists he's a boy and uses he/him pronouns so that's how we're going now.). Throughout the book Marvin struggles with his identity until he realizes he knows The Secret about girls and also The Secret about boys.
I would not hesitate to hand this to a child. It's subtle, and if they related to Marvin I'd have a few follow up questions. Anywho, I'm glad it's 2021 and sometimes boys get to wear dresses and have long hair because they bloody well feel like it.
More power to Marvin. Super old book, def not trash, but also not about to win a Newberry.
ETA: There was some ridiculously sexist misogynistic shit that slipped by me because I was romantisizing my childhood again. Ie. "Boys are smarter than girls" 🙄
October 11, 2021
In 2021, I am reading this book because it was a Junior book that has been banned? I wanted to know why.
I really liked this book. It's for middle schoolers and is about a boy (Marvin Redpost) who is told if he kisses his elbow, he will turn into a girl! Of course, he has to try to kiss his elbow, only to disprove the girl who told him that!
the book is about how once he does this, he feels like he could be a girl. along the way, he also discovers that at points, he thinks it might be easier to be a girl and do what they do.
I would recommend this book to a younger person because at some point in time, I think that everyone has wondered what the "other sex" has that we don't and wondered if at times it would be easier to be the opposite sex.
I really liked this book. It's for middle schoolers and is about a boy (Marvin Redpost) who is told if he kisses his elbow, he will turn into a girl! Of course, he has to try to kiss his elbow, only to disprove the girl who told him that!
the book is about how once he does this, he feels like he could be a girl. along the way, he also discovers that at points, he thinks it might be easier to be a girl and do what they do.
I would recommend this book to a younger person because at some point in time, I think that everyone has wondered what the "other sex" has that we don't and wondered if at times it would be easier to be the opposite sex.
May 7, 2016
Short and simple. This is one without much editorializing, so it could still be good for some kids even though it's twenty years old -- why are some things "girl things" and others "boy things"? Why does the simple suggestion that Marvin might turn into a girl make him start doubting his whole thought process? On the other hand, the book could just as easily be used to claim boys and girls are essentially different but that boys should be nice to girls or something, I don't know.
August 26, 2020
Quick read. Disappointed with the amount of name calling and bullying in the book. We read MARVIN REDPOST: IS HE A GIRL? by Louis Sachar as a family read aloud. Even my elementary school aged children picked up on and independently commented on the inappropriate behaviors of the characters in this book. Skip this book and find one with more appropriate examples for your children. We prefer kindness and good citizenship over attempts to normalize rude and hurtful name-calling and bullying.
May 6, 2013
A girl at school tells Marvin if he kisses his elbow, he will turn into a girl. Well, Marvin accidentally kisses it....and is he changing? My son loved this book.
I am also reading it in Japanese and finding the illustrations in the Japanese edition pretty hilarious. (Marvin peering down into his pants to check and see if he is still a boy.)
I am also reading it in Japanese and finding the illustrations in the Japanese edition pretty hilarious. (Marvin peering down into his pants to check and see if he is still a boy.)
July 9, 2020
I read this book when I was a kid and no idea why it stuck inside of my memory as tenaciously as it did. So when my son started devouring books this summer, naturally it came to mind. We read it in one sitting (I remember it being longer) and it was an interesting perspective to re-read it as an adult with my child. It seemed like a good way to start a discussion about how gender is not binary.
June 14, 2022
Another fun offering from the Marvin Redpost series suitable for readers aged 9+
This time Marvin has a little identity crisis, explores the differences between boys and girls and becomes a little kinder because of it!
This time Marvin has a little identity crisis, explores the differences between boys and girls and becomes a little kinder because of it!
September 14, 2022
Such a funny book. My children really enjoyed it! They love the Marvin Repost series.
May 7, 2017
Oh man. If this book was written today it would either never get published or be a very different story. What a difference 24 years can make.
ancient-history
January 27, 2024Me in 2003: haha why would a boy ever want to be a girl, that's so stupid
Me in 2023: oh
Me in 2023: oh
November 2, 2022
Marvin was told that if he can kiss his elbow, he would turn into a girl. He was skeptical, and of course he didn't want to turn into a girl... or did he?
When Marvin successfully kisses his elbow, nothing happens. Except... does his voice sound different? Or was it just a cold? He starts to admire other girls' clothes and hair... is that normal?
Depending on how one approaches this book, the story can offer interesting and fulsome discussion on gender identity. With that being said, the story does seem to reinforce many gender stereotypes...
----------------------------------------------
Part of a personal challenge to read all of my boyfriend's and his sister's childhood books before we donate and give them away.
At least not forever. Maybe it would be okay for a few minutes. Just to see what it was like.
But you can't turn into a girl just by kissing your elbow, he thought. That was stupid. Casey Happleton was stupid. Why would anyone want to turn into a girl if girls were always saying stupid things like that?
He tried kissing his elbow again.
It just bugged him that he couldn't do it.
When Marvin successfully kisses his elbow, nothing happens. Except... does his voice sound different? Or was it just a cold? He starts to admire other girls' clothes and hair... is that normal?
Depending on how one approaches this book, the story can offer interesting and fulsome discussion on gender identity. With that being said, the story does seem to reinforce many gender stereotypes...
----------------------------------------------
Part of a personal challenge to read all of my boyfriend's and his sister's childhood books before we donate and give them away.
April 16, 2019
This book is challenged because parents were becoming upset at the fact of the main character Marivn wanting to dress up like a girl. Parents felt the book was inappropriate because Marvin wanted to dress up like a girl and wanted to play "girl games" at recess instead of playing basket ball with his guy friends.
I personally think the book has a good message. I don't think the book should be used for younger children because they will end up getting confused and won't understand. However, homosexuality is a big topic in out world today and I don't think the topic is one to be over looked. I think if children want to read the book, they should be able to. Children learn a lot through reading others stories and if they feel different in their bodies they should not feel ashamed for feeling a certain way. I also think other students can learn more about how some people don't feel comfortable in their bodies so they won't be so hard to judge others.
I personally think the book has a good message. I don't think the book should be used for younger children because they will end up getting confused and won't understand. However, homosexuality is a big topic in out world today and I don't think the topic is one to be over looked. I think if children want to read the book, they should be able to. Children learn a lot through reading others stories and if they feel different in their bodies they should not feel ashamed for feeling a certain way. I also think other students can learn more about how some people don't feel comfortable in their bodies so they won't be so hard to judge others.
July 9, 2017
Can Marvin Redpost really turn into a girl if he kisses the outside part of his elbow? This is what Casey Happleton told Marvin would happen if he was able to do so. Marven tries throughout the day and the night, and wakes up in the morning feeling a lot different as well as sounding differently as well. Is he now a girl? Ok, so I really do enjoy Louis' stories and this one was no exception. A lovely story about being different and taking the time to know someone because they are different, and finding out that you actually like them as well.
I love the little section at the end about the author. "Louis Sachar has never kissed his elbow and has never been a girl. But even though he now has both a wife and a daughter, Louis says that he is still trying to figure out the secret difference between girls and boys."
I love the little section at the end about the author. "Louis Sachar has never kissed his elbow and has never been a girl. But even though he now has both a wife and a daughter, Louis says that he is still trying to figure out the secret difference between girls and boys."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews