For his eleventh birthday, James Pompaday receives a pen-and-ink set from his artist father who is divorced from his mother. James doesn't know what to do with the set but a beetle named Marvin, who lives in the Pompaday's New York City apartment, decides to give James a present of an original drawing using the ink. Everyone, except James, believes he drew the picture and is a gifted artist. Suddenly he's whisked off to the Metrapolitan Museum of Art to view Albrecht Durer's work, and is recruited to foil an art heist by drawing a replica of Durer's drawing. But James needs Marvin and Marvin discovers a twist in the art heist and solves the mystery. I enjoyed the history mystery and although the Durer drawings in the story are a product of the author's imagination, readers will learn about artists, the mediums they use, and the world of art. We had to read this book as part of a reading program at school. I read it out loud each night for the month of March. It's a cute story, very reminiscent of The Cricket in Times Square. As we were reading, there were definitely key discussion points like what makes a good friend? Why are the Pompadays so unlikeable? How can we compare Marvin's family to James's family? Throughout the month, I did have to question whether this book would work as a read-aloud for kindergartners and first graders. My fourth grader had to stop me in several places to explain to her what was going on.
What do You think about Un Drôle D'ami (2013)?
an Amazing book about Marvin the beetle. anyone who loves art Mysteries would like this book.
—Kalen
Very creative tale. Fun for the whole family as an audiobook
—mandie89
