The Lucky Lizard (Puffin Chapters) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ellen A. Kelley (Author), Kevin O'Malley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2002 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Puffin Chapters

Todd is in trouble and his pet lizard, Bima, is very worried! Todd's problem is that he feels too small-too small for his age, too small for his class, and too small to ride his brand new Speedster bicycle. To make matters worse, the school Bike Derby is coming up and Todd is signed up for the obstacle course. Bima knows what it's like to be a little guy, and he wants to help. But how will a tiny lizard be able to help Todd learn to ride a two-wheeler?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The unorthodox narrator of Kelley's debut novel is a feisty, flippant lizard, the loyal pet of eight-year-old Todd Boucher. Perceptive Bima quickly realizes that his new master lacks self-esteem: Todd is the youngest and shortest kid in third grade and is afraid to learn to ride the racing bike he receives for his birthday. Sporting some unorthodox skills for a reptile (he understands human language and learned to read by watching Sesame Street at the pet store), Bima also issues numerous comical asides. When Todd takes him to school, the teacher advises the boy to hold Bima up higher to give his classmates a better view; Bima, fearful of heights, says to himself, "No! Higher is a bad idea, lady." Then, when a student asks, "What kind of a lizard is he?" Bima quips, "A dizzy lizard!" But, on a more significant plane, the lizard inadvertently inspires Todd to give his bike a tryAand helps him come to terms and make peace with the class bully. Kelley pulls off her unusual premise with humor, and her tale will likely give a subtle boost to kids with shaky confidence. Final artwork not seen by PW. Ages 7-10. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. With help from his trusty pet lizard Bima, pipsqueak third-grader Todd not only gets over his fear of riding a two-wheeler but also finds common ground with the biggest kid in class. No ordinary lizard, Bima is the story's narrator, and his leaving the house generally leads to disaster. If he's not crawling into someone's taco in the school lunchroom or catching the eye of a hawk, he's riding in Todd's shirt pocket during dangerously wobbly bike trips. When he has a close encounter with a cat, Bobby Menlo, Todd's nemesis, comes to his rescue, paving the way for the boys' possible friendship. Kevin O'Malley's artwork gives visual form to the comic tone, with full-page depictions of the story's exciting moments from both high and low points of view. It's a lightweight, thrill-a-minute problem solver, with a memorable commentator. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142300721
• ISBN-13: 978-0142300725
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,587,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucky Readers!, November 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lucky Lizard (Hardcover)

Lucky is the reader who discovers this delightful book. Ellen Kelly's lizard-narrator, Bima, is fresh, funny, smart and, at times, smart-alecky; kind of like a big brother - - with scales! He truly cares about Todd, his human owner, and takes him under his wing . . . er, tail, as the two of them skitter through mishaps and adventures that will have you falling out of your chair laughing! (Wait till you read the lizard-taco scene!) The ending, when both Todd and Bima at long last overcome their fears, will satisfy readers, but also have them yearning for a sequel. A perfect book for any boy or girl who has mastered easy-to-reads, but is not quite ready for a middle grade novel. A wonderful read-aloud, as well. Recommend for ages 6-9.

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Impossible after All, May 12, 2002

By 

Marni McGee "children's book writer and poet" (Santa Barbara, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lucky Lizard (Hardcover)

It's hard to imagine a successful first-person novel, written from the viewpoint of a lizard. Yet, Ellen Kelley proves that it can be done and very, very well. Bima, the lucky lizard himself, is smart, believable, funny, whimsical, and yet touching in his devotion to Todd. Kelley walks a clever line, giving Bima certain human abilities (he learns to read from watching TV, for example) while keeping him delightfully lizard-ly. Bima can't talk to Todd, and yet the two understand each other and are fast friends. This book begs for a sequel. What will happen next? It's is a great choice for reluctant readers, especially boys though girls will love it too. Kids who love animals and kids who love to laugh will all love THE LUCKY LIZARD.

5.0 out of 5 stars Leaping Lizards, March 29, 2001

By 

Ellen Jackson (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lucky Lizard (Hardcover)

Leaping Lizards! This is a fun story. It's not easy to write a tale with a lizard as the narrator, but Ms. Kelly pulls it off. Children will learn that seemingly insurmountable fears can be overcome. And it's a darn, cute story too.