Synopses & Reviews
Morgy hates being the new kid in a new school in a new town in a new state. He wishes he were back in California. Here in Massachusetts he has to contend with Ferguson, who's older and seems to have singled out Morgy to pick on. Ferguson is even there when Morgy tries to learn how to play hockey, and he never misses a chance to dump Morgy on the ice. And hockey becomes even more humiliating when Morgy is demoted from the ten-and-unders to the seven-and-unders, where he's the oldest kid on the team.Each day brings more things to get used to, from weird Boston accents to surviving the blizzard of the century. Gradually, though, Morgy begins to figure out life in Puckett Corner and learns that he just might fit in after all.
Review
Praise for the Iris and Walter series:"Splendid . . . Readers will delight in the youngsters' friendship."--
School Library Journal (starred review)
"Iris and Walter will join Frog and Toad and Henry and Mudge in a prominent place on the easy-reading shelves."--The Bulletin
Review
"Well grounded in Morgyand#8217;s family and community, this family story has more warmth and humor than most chapter books at this reading level." Booklist, ALA
"In a hyper-frenetic plot, reinforced by fast-paced but thoughtful narration, Lewis perfectly captures an active nine-year-old boy's life. . . . Supported by Chesworth's action-packed black-and-white drawings, Lewis keeps the hot pace going from beginning to end. . . . Bravo." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"...Warm and funny tale...Chesworths action-packed black-and-white illustrations complement the breezy text." Kirkus, 04/01/08 Kirkus Reviews
"...readers new to the series will soon find themselves caught up in this enjoyable chapter book." Booklist 04/01/08 Booklist, ALA
Review
"When third-grader Morgy MacDougal-MacDuff moves with his parents from wide-open, laid-back California (where he had lots of friends, the playground at his school overlooked the ocean, and he played soccer) to small-town, close-knit Massachusetts (where he immediately attracts the attentions of a bully, his new school doesn't even have a playground, and everyone plays ice hockey), he obviously has some adjustments to make. Maggie Lewis captures the disoriented Morgy's bewilderment, even unto the challenges of the Massachusetts lingo and accent (what is this spa his new friend Byron invites him to come along to? and what does mar mean?), with one of the lightest touches ever encountered in a new-kid-in-town story. Her characters are recognizably and believably grounded in a particular place, but they are never stereotypes: Morgy's visiting aunt from California is flaky but also understanding and good at making friends; Byron's live-in Massachusetts aunt is small-town traditional but knows when to stretch the rules and how to accept others as they are. Gradually, Morgy becomes more comfortable in his new surroundings, finding himself part of Byron's large, friendly family, enjoying an unusual mid-blizzard Thanksgiving celebration, learning to skate, and defusing the bully (with the unwitting help of his mom-sorry, his mar). At book's end, Morgy welcomes home newborn twin sisters with big-brotherly protectiveness: "If there's anything you don't know, you can ask me. I know all about this place." A superbly realized regional novel that is nonetheless universal: second- and third-grade readers from all over will enjoy watching Morgy make his move." Horn Book
"Lewis packs a lot of action into this short novel and plenty of changes into her hero's young life. Morgy has just moved from California to Massachusetts, where he gets lost on the way home after the first day of school, is repeatedly picked on by an older bully, finds out his mother is pregnant with twins, tries to learn to play hockey, and survives a chimney fire, a blizzard, and a blackout. In between trials, he makes new friends and writes to old ones, is visited by his aunt, and helps raise money for new equipment for the school playground. This lighthearted novel is filled with incident and warmth, nicely matched in tone by Chesworth's black-and-white illustrations. Especially pleasing is the easy way the members of his family and his new friend Byron's family come together during the storm, spend Thanksgiving together on the spur of the moment, and thereafter are naturally integrated into one another's lives." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Iris and Walter can't wait for their class trip to the aquarium. The day is everything they had hoped for--until suddenly, Walter is missing! Good thing Iris knows just what to do.
Synopsis
The ninth title in this sweet easy reader series is now in paperback
Synopsis
Morgy has been used to life in Puckett Corner, Massachusetts. Sure, he misses California and his best friend, Keith, but itand#8217;s hard to stay focused on that when there are loud baby twins at your house, a greyhound named Dante to take care of, and a big kid named Ferguson to watch out for.
Morgy and his friend Byron are also taking trumpet lessons, as well as playing hockey for the Puckett Corner Pumas, the ten-and-under hockey team usually coached by Byronand#8217;s uncle Mike. But Uncle Mike is fighting forest fires in California, so the Pumas are left with Mrs. Almonio instead. She is no Uncle Mike.
Synopsis
Iris and Walter can't wait for their class field trip to the aquarium. They'll get to sit together on the bus and visit scary sharks, shimmery angelfish, and, best of all, penguins. The aquarium is everything they had hoped for--until suddenly, Walter is missing! Good thing a best friend like Iris always knows just what to do.
In the ninth book of this award-winning series, Iris and Walter find out that a best friend's help can be the most valuable gift of all.
Synopsis
Morgy thinks Outlook Music Camp is a long way to go to get good at the trumpet. Its almost in Canada! But Colonel Profundo gave him a promising beginner” scholarship. His friends, Byron and Clara, are coming, too. Dad says, Its not just for trumpet, its summer camp and youll love it.”
Dads right but he doesnt know the half of it. Theres canoeing, swimming, soccer and wild games of musical chairs. But theres also Damian, oboe prodigy and bully. And Byron and Clara are in band while Morgys stuck in orchestra, playing a solo. What is Morgy supposed to do if he can barely read music, he misses his dog Dante and his cat Pancake, his best friend is in love with their trumpet teacher, and he sees soldiers in three-cornered hats sneaking through the camp at night?
Keep practicing, of course! First, Morgy made his move, then he survived fourth-grade hockey. Now, Broot-taroot!Morgy goes away to camp and comes home with a song of his own. Maggie Lewiss Morgys Musical Summer” is a camp novel to write home about.
About the Author
ELISSA HADEN GUEST is the award-winning author of the Iris and Walter series. She lives in San Francisco, California.
CHRISTINE DAVENIER is the acclaimed illustrator of the Iris and Walter series, and she received a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year Award for The First Thing My Mama Told Me by Susan Marie Swanson. She lives in Paris, France.