Almost Famous [Paperback]

David Getz (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Ten-year-old Maxine is determined to become a famous inventor so she can take care of her younger brother's heart condition, and she convinces a troubled classmate to help her.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Maxine, age 10, adores her five-year-old brother, whose heart murmur requires dreaded check-ups. Determined to invent something to help him, the girl embarks on several almost-successful projects. She decides that an appearance on Phil Donahue's TV show would bring acclaim and respect for her efforts, and conducts a fruitless phone-and-letter campaign to the celebrity's office. Then an application for the Inventions of Children Contest arrives in the mail. She believes it's from Phil Donahue and feels "almost famous," but the rule about accepting only partnered contestants presents a problem for the newly transferred (and as yet friendless) girl. Getz ( Thin Air ) writes poignantly of the fears cast by a child's heart condition, but the thin story line is stretched too far. The (tiresome) emphasis on Donahue seems inappropriate in a children's story, and the dialogue and narrative exhibit a self-consciously cute quality ("Maybe I'm almost famous on another planet"). Maxine's spirited ambition, however, may hearten readers and convey to them the tenacity needed in pursuing goals. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- Clever, tenacious, ten-year-old Maxine is an inventor of several things that almost work. From the outset, her lofty goal is to create something that will help improve her younger brother's heart condition. Since she needs a partner for a contest she wants to enter, she befriends Toni, a lonely girl with a history of personal problems. In spite of the underlying seriousness of Wat's health concerns and Toni's family problems, the light writing style and Maxine's constant resourcefulness keep this contemporary story upbeat and humorous. Maxine is characterized as singularly devoted to her mission; Toni is convincingly described as a child distracted by her home situation. The adults are less-clearly developed. Although the ending is a little too neat for plausibility, the plot is easy to follow and develops at a crisp pace. Overall, the humor and Maxine's appealing personality will make this a satisfying choice for young readers. --Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System, Fort Myers, FL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (March 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805034641
• ISBN-13: 978-0805034646
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,422,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!, April 16, 2008

By 

Principal Reader "book fan" (Manhattan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Almost Famous (Paperback)

Alright, i would just like to say, this book, IS THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if you say it isnt, well i dont know how to tell you this. But you are rong!!!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it has the best characters ever, great plot and if i do say so myself, IT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And as a personal friend of David, i no he rites with his heart. So, check out his other books, Floating home, Frozen man, Thin air, and more. IF you didnt comprehend this message i will tell it to u 1 more time. DAVID GETZ IS THE BEST AUTHOR IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Almost Exciting, March 28, 2003

By 

Linda "Linda" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Almost Famous (Paperback)

Not a bad novel!;About a little girl who plans to be a famous inventor and has the nerve to try.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is unbelievalbe, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Almost Famous (Paperback)

As a personal friend of David, I would truthfully express my synopsis of his book....truthfully...this is one of the greatest books written for young adults. His theme of triumph and generosity bring this book way above others. Yet again, David has captured the minds of young adults in this book. 5 stars all the way.