What It's About (from Goodreads):
Neanderthal siblings Lucy and Andy are back to their paleo pranks. This time, they have to put up with more than just each other the cave is feeling awfully cramped since the humans moved in. They re in the Ice Age, and legroom comes at a real premium!
Jeffrey Brown skillfully blends humor and history with paleontologist sections: Timeline of Key Discoveries, Ice Age Fact vs. Fiction, Silly Cavemen Myths, and more.
My Thoughts:
One of the things I have started doing this year is being a Reading Friend at the local elementary school, where my son is in 5th grade. I have two 4th grade reading buddies. My job is to be just that-- a friend to kids who, for whatever reason, struggle with reading. One of my buddies likes The Magic Tree House series, and the other one is a big fan of graphic novels. (We read and guffawed at Dav Pilkey's Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties.)
The mafioso, father of three boys, has read his share of Magic Tree House, as well as Captain Underpants and Wimpy Kid--but my kids have now outgrown the newer graphic novels series, such as Lucy and Andy Neanderthal and Jedi Academy (also by Jeffrey Brown). But my graphic novel-loving reading friend is also into dinosaurs, so maybe he can be persuaded to take on Lucy and Andy Neanderthal after we're done with Dog Man. I'll keep you posted.
The Stone Cold Age is the second book in the Lucy and Andy Neanderthal series, and it was a ton of fun. Andy, despite being a neanderthal, often acts like a modern kid with attitude. The humans and the neanderthals get on like a couple of sitcom families, and the book is a real page turner. My favorite part, because I'm a swot, was all the facts about neanderthals and ice ages and fossils sprinkled through the pages. It was a fun way to learn about life 40,000 years ago!
About the Author:
Jeffrey Brown lives in Chicago with his wife and two sons. He teaches at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. WEBSITE
I remain a little confused about these. I like all of the facts, but then the story seems to not necessarily follow them. I do have them in the library, though!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Karen. But the target audience seems to lap it up.
DeleteGreat choices for reluctant middle grade readers. I haven't read them but will have to do so. Your young friends might also like the new DINOPEDIA from National Geographic Kids. A stunning resource of facts and drawings.
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for the recommendation, Greg. I have a feeling I'll know a lot more about dinosaurs before my Reading Friends year is done!
DeleteThis sounds really funny. I love the idea of humans and neadrithols (however you spell that) interacting! It sounds like a good book for kids who don't like reading too much, yet. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Sue. I appreciate it. And yes, this is a good one for the so-called 'reluctant reader.'
DeleteThese really look like fun reads for those who may not enjoy reading. Great way to introduce our early history to kids, with humans present. Not sure how it works, but it sounds humorous! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks like so much fun. I love the title. Thanks for the heads up.
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