Manolito Four-Eyes, Volume 1 [Hardcover]

Elvira Lindo (Author), Emilio Urberuaga (Illustrator), Joanne Moriarty (Translator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Manolito Four-Eyes

"Nobody knows me as Manolito García Moreno, not even Big Ears López, and he's my best friend; even though sometimes he can be a dog and a traitor (and other times, a dog traitor), he's still my best friend and he's a whole lotta cool. 

In Carabanchel-that's the name of my neighborhood in Madrid, in case I haven't told you-everyone knows me as Manolito Four-Eyes." 

"Don't try to be different," says Manolito's mother. But he can't help it-he doesn't have to try. Whether he's fighting over the One-and-Only Susana; trying not to fight with Ozzy the Bully; telling his entire life story to the school psychologist; or discovering the true meaning of World Peace-ten-year-old Manolito is a real original. As he'd say, in the worldwide world, there's nobody like him! And for the first time, this best-selling phenomenon from Spain is available in English.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—This is a translation of Manolito Gafotas, a contemporary novel for children in Spain that has also inspired feature films and television shows. All of the neighbors in the boy's Madrid suburb know the 10-year-old as Manolito Four-Eyes because he wears glasses with thick lenses. The story focuses on his everyday life with some of his favorite pals, such as "Big Ears" Lopez and his heartthrob, the "One-and-Only Susana," among others. Manolito's sociologist mother has concerns about his behavior so he spends some time telling the school psychologist his life story. To be sure, the protagonist is a wild, spunky, dramatic, comical sort of character sure to be popular with children, who will probably find him, in Manolito's own inimitable words, a "whole lotta cool." Lively cartoon illustrations are scattered throughout.—Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA
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From Booklist

In this episodic chapter book, 10-year-old Manolito tells about his experiences at home, in school, and in his Madrid neighborhood. Described by his mother as “born talking,” Manolito brings his family and friends alive on the page through a chatty, first-person narrative in which he recounts events such as a punch from a bully who breaks his glasses, a visit from a demanding schoolmate named One-and-Only Susana, and a surprise birthday party for his beloved grandpa. And that occasion makes a fitting ending to the book, as Grandpa Nicolás, introduced in the introductory “Cast of Characters” as Manolito’s “unconditional ally,” proves to be an unconventional and often entertaining ally as well. Throughout the book, amusing drawings heighten the understated humor that brightens the story. Now available in “American English,” the book was first published in Spain in 1994 as part of a series about Manolito. Grades 4-6. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Childrens Books; Tra edition (March 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761453032
• ISBN-13: 978-0761453031
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A whole lotta cool!, August 23, 2008

By 

LaCuerva "kromobile" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manolito Four-Eyes, Volume 1 (Hardcover)

Manolito likes to be called Four-Eyes; in his school, anybody who's a little important has a nickname. His best friend is Big Ears - though they did get into a fight once because Manolito said he'd rather have Coke-bottle glasses than monkey-butt ears like Big Ears. And then there's the One-And-Only Susana, tougher and smarter than anybody in the school, even Ozzy the Bully. Until brilliant Paquito Medina shows up, in a beeline for the Nobel Prize according to Our Teach Miss Asuncion. Paquito is obviously from another planet, says Manolito, one where women are twins and babies are attached to their mothers by two umbilical cords - because Paquito has two bellybuttons!
A hilarious story about a crazy kid, his crazy grandfather ("Is insanity hereditary?" "Are you calling me crazy?") and a mad pack of schoolmates.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A zany, compelling story of a very unusual personality., September 7, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manolito Four-Eyes, Volume 1 (Hardcover)

Elvira Lindo's MANOLITO FOUR-EYES tells of Manolito, named after his father's truck, who doesn't mind his nickname of 'Four-Eyes'. From a battle with his best friend over Susana to confrontations with the school bully, MANOLITO FOUR-EYES provides elementary to early middle school grades with a zany, compelling story of a very unusual personality.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So cute and totally original!, June 22, 2008

By 

Laura L. Grace "A Reader" (The Midwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Manolito Four-Eyes, Volume 1 (Hardcover)

This was one of the funniest children's books we've ever read. Loved reading a book about a boy growing up in Spain -- so different, but so totally relatable. The illustrations are completely charming. We laughed out loud every page.