The Miniature World of Marvin and James

AUTHOR: Elise Broach
ILLUSTRATOR: Elise Broach

From the Publisher:

In this Masterpiece Adventure, the first in a companion series for younger readers from bestselling author Elise Broach, James is going on vacation for a week. His best friend, Marvin the beetle, has to stay at home. Without James to keep him company, Marvin has to play with his annoying cousin, Elaine. Marvin and Elaine quickly find themselves getting into all sorts of trouble―even getting trapped inside a pencil sharpener! Marvin misses James and starts to worry about their friendship. Will James still be Marvin’s friend when he gets home or will James have found a new best friend?

The Miniature World of Marvin and James by Elise Broach, with illustrations by Kelly Murphy, is the first in a series of chapter books set in the world of the acclaimed middle-grade novel Masterpiece.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Leah’s Thoughts:

This series is such a fun next step for kids who are ready to move past early readers but still want short chapters and illustrations throughout. The friendship between Marvin (a beetle) and James (a boy) is funny and sweet, and the small-scale adventures keep things interesting without being overwhelming.