Customer Reviews

The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich (Melvin Beederman Superhero)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm going into my 13th year teaching second grade, and I'm always on the lookout for new books that will appeal to my reluctant readers and get them excited to read. The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich is just that kind of book. With funny pictures, action-packed chapters, and lots of references to underwear and other silly things, the kids in my class will be fighting to get ahold of this book. If there were a Newbury Award given to books for drawing in new readers, this book would be a finalist.

I read to my 8-year-old son every night, and Melvin Beederman is the first character who has my child begging for more reading time. He loves these books! We've read the entire series now and enjoyed every minute - my child even wants to reread them all. If your son hates to read, or thinks most books are boring, you will be thrilled with the Melvin Beederman series. These books are funny, engaging and appealing to boys, but they are not crude. (Moms and dads will actually enjoy reading these books out loud.) Highly recommended for relunctant readers!

Recently graduated from Superhero Academy, Melvin Beederman is assigned to Los Angeles by Headmaster Spinner. As an orphan who was left on the steps of the Academy, Melvin doesn't have a family to go home to -- or a house to live in. Since finding a headquarters to operate out of is one of the first things he's supposed to do according to the Superheroes' Code, he takes up residence in an abandoned tree house and goes out at once to fight crime. During that pursuit, he ends up getting his uniform dirty and has to take it to the cleaners. His cape gets mixed up with someone else's temporarily, but he ends up with a new partner to help him with his crime patrols. Unfortunately, he also ends up falling victim to the nefarious plans of the evil, all-around bad guy McNasty Brothers, who have learned Melvin's secret weakness from an unofficial Melvin Beederman website. Can Melvin overcome the bad guys? Will he save the day? Readers have to turn the pages to find out!

The Melvin Beederman series presents author Greg Trine's first books. Illustrator Rhode Montijo has also written and illustrated CLOUD BOY.

THE CURSE OF THE BOLOGNA sandwich sets up the Melvin Beederman series fabulously. From Melvin's humble background, the beliefs of the superhero school, to his superhero hideout, readers get to learn out this legend-in-the-making gets his start. The writing lends itself easily to reading aloud to youngers who may be reluctant readers, and funny enough that adults doing the reading may end up chuckling again and again at Melvin's actions and the author's witty commentary. The chapters are short and concise and provide plenty of stopping areas. However most readers won't want to stop, hooked on each development of the story.

This book is recommended to anyone who loves the idea of superheroes, and to parents who love to read fun books to their kids. Kids and parents who are looking for something slightly older than the Nate the Great books but just as fun will find the Melvin Beederman series a great experience.

What a cute book!

Melvin Beederman is a young superhero fresh from the superhero academy on his first assignment in L.A., who 'hasn't had a superhero since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.'

Once Melvin finds himself a place to live- a tree house somewhere- he waits for cries for help. He encounters the bank robbing McNasty brothers, just in time to lose his cape which enables him to fly- even if it takes him six times before he gets off the ground!

In comes Candace, who suddenly has x-ray vision while playing Little Red Riding Hood in her school play. And then she finds she has super strength, which gives her such confidence she catches a purse snatcher and the school's milk money thieves. All while wearing her new cape, which is way too big for her.

Soon Melvin and Candace team up and put the McNasty brothers away, making L.A. safe once again.

Melvin Beederman and the Curse of the Bologna Sandwich (A curse? You'll have to read to find out!) is funny and entertaining and I look forward to reading the series with my three boys!

My grandson is 8 and an avid reader. He read this book and asked me to get him the whole series. He has never done that before!!!!

My son (6) can read but wasn't really interested in reading for pleasure. I ordered Melvin Beederman, Superhero, and had it delivered in his name. He opened the package and started reading. We read a chapter a night. He was so proud of himself. This is a silly, fun, exciting book for reluctant readers. Highly recommended.

I have not personally read this series but my 9 year old has and loves it! He can read a book in a day or two and it's worth one point for his school's Accelerated Reader testing (not sure if you are familiar with it or not). He cracks up reading them and I'm all about trying to find good books that keep his interest and asking for more to read.... Another good series similar to this would probably be Captain Underpants, Wimpy kid series, and he also loved two books about Digory the dragon slayer. Cute series and I highly recommend.

The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich is the first book in the Melvin Beederman: Superhero series by Greg Trine and it is quite the amusing kickoff! As the story begins we meet Melvin, recently graduated from the Superhero Academy where he has been studying for practically his whole life, having been dropped off on the Academy's steps as a baby. Upon Graduation, Melvin is assigned Los Angeles by the Superintendent and away he goes (after 5 tries to get off the ground, naturally)...having no family to bunk down with, Melvin sets up shop in an abandoned tree house and immediately begins fighting crime.

In his pursuit of the evil, no good McNasty Brothers, Melvin's cape is lost, found, he acquires a new partner, discovers an "unofficial" website (where his secret weakness is being advertised to every bad guy who has internet access), and has his limits tested. Throughout his trials and tribulations are given an amusing spin by a voice over narrator who puts his own spin on things. Will Melvin be able to defeat the McNasty brothers...who is his secret nemesis? You'll have to read to find out...you know you want to!

Overall, this is an amusing, entertaining start to a super new series! The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich is sure to be a favorite among boys (6-10), but I also found that my 9 year old daughter thought it was a hoot, so it will appeal to a mixed audience. It would also be a wonderful read aloud for younger kids (especially if you can pull off the narrator effect)! Trine manages to touch on important topics like doing homework before having fun (and fighting crime), self-esteem, persevering through difficulty, creative problem solving, the importance of the perfect evil laugh (if you're an evil villain) and more...all the while making it hilariously funny! This is a great beginning reader book, for those making the transition to chapter books and the illustrations help to bring the story to life for readers still struggling to make the transition to books without pictures. I give it 4 stars and two thumbs up, we all loved it!

I've been searching for a book that was humorous and would interest my son. This is it! He enjoyed it throughly. I enjoyed reading it too him as well as watching him pick it up and read it throughout the day. He is very interested in reading the rest in the series. I'm happy I found a book that stirs his interest in reading.