Review: Marty McGuire by Kate Messner

Genre: Children’s Chapter Book

Pages: Hardcover, 160

Publisher: Scholastic Press (May 1, 2011)

Marty McGuire would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty's absolutely, positively sure that there's been a huge mistake. But after a special lesson in the art of improvisation, Marty comes up with her OWN plan to IMPROVE the play: Why use stuffed-animal frog onstage when a live one would be so much better? In the end, Marty's one-of-a-kind performance makes for an unforgettable show. Maybe Marty CAN live happily ever after, after all!

I was lucky enough to spend time with Kate this year at NCTE and was in awe of her the entire time. She is a beautiful lady inside and out and her personality shines in her books. I am convinced that she is also an amazing teacher. In November, when I got back from NCTE, I told Kylie about Kate and this book that she had written about a little girl who had to be in a play but really didn’t want to. My child being, well… my child, was ready to read it that second.

So we did.

And loved it!

Marty is so much like my Kylie (playing with the boys, in the dirt, catching frogs, you name it) and the thought of having to put on a dress and perform with the dress on is so far past her it’s not even funny. Marty is completely adorable and finds a way to get her way right when no one expects it (even though no one was surprised). Kylie loved the pictures too. At five, she would. We laughed at Marty’s antics and gasped at the things she did and loved every second of it.

Super cute read and I can’t wait to hear more from Marty… neither can Kylie!