Holm, Jennifer L Books

Penny from Heaven

Jennifer L. Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

It’s1953 and 11-year-old Penny dreams of a summer of butter pecan ice cream, swimming, and baseball. But nothing’s that easy in Penny’s family. For starters, she can’t go swimming because her mother’s afraid she’ll catch polio at the pool. To make matters worse, her favorite uncle is living in a car. Her Nonny cries every time her father’s name is mentioned. And the two sides of her family aren’t speaking to each other!

Inspired by Newbery Honor winner Jennifer Holm’s own Italian American family, Penny from Heaven is a shining story about the everyday and the extraordinary, about a time in America’s history, not all that long ago, when being Italian meant that you were the enemy. But most of all, it’s a story about families—about the things that tear them apart and bring them together. And Holm tells it with all the richness and the layers, the love and the laughter of a Sunday dinner at Nonny’s. So pull up a chair and enjoy the feast! Buon appetito!


From the Hardcover edition.

Babymouse #9: Monster Mash (Babymouse)

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Editorial Review:

IT WAS A dark and scary Halloween. . . .

This year, Babymouse is determined to have the best Halloween costume and the best Halloween party ever. Will Babymouse be the monster of her dreams? Will Felicia Furrypaws come to the party? And is that really the creature from the black lagoon living in Babymouse’s locker? Find out in the most exciting Babymouse graphic novel yet, Monster Mash!

Babymouse #10: The Musical

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Editorial Review:

Dust off your dancing shoes. Babymouse and the gang are taking center stage in the feel-good book of the season! Will Babymouse get the lead in the school musical or will Felicia Furrypaws steal the show? Find out in Babymouse: The Musical ! Filled with highsteps and high jinks and starring the critically acclaimed, award-winning Babymouse as herself, this showstopper will have you tapping your toes and singing along!

Babymouse #4: Rock Star (Babymouse)

Jennifer L. Holm, Matt Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Babymouse is a legend, a siren, a rock star…at least in her own mind. Babymouse is a typical kid (aside from the whiskers and tail) with a big, big fantasy life to help her through the hazards of public school life: school buses, broken lockers, bullies, math class. But then there's her beloved band. She has music in her soul, if not actually in her flute. This year, though, things are going to be different. She's going to be the star of the concert. Or at least move up from last chair.

The sister-and-brother team of Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm have attained perfect pitch with Babymouse, who stars in her own series of graphic novels, including Babymouse: Queen of the World and Babymouse: Beach Babe. Illustrated in black and white for her humdrum daily existence, the scenery turns decidedly pink as Babymouse stage-dives into her imaginary world. Reluctant and avid readers alike will happily devour every book in the series, and wait eagerly for more. --Emilie Coulter

Babymouse #8: Puppy Love (Babymouse)

Jennifer L. Holm, Matt Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Courtesy of Teens Read Too 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Babymouse is back, and she has a bit of a dilemma. She really, really, really wants a dog. Seeing as how her last pet-owning experiences haven't turned out so well, though, mom isn't having any of her pleas and begging. Sure, you could feel sorry for Babymouse, but you have to admit that the belly-up goldfish, escaped hamster, runaway turtle, disappearing ferret (need I go on with the salamander, hermit crabs, Venus Flytraps, or sea monkeys?) have mom worried about her ability to take care of a dog.

But Babymouse, being Babymouse, has big plans for this dog that she'll have, which will include proper care, feeding, walking, and grooming. Perhaps a dog show. When she finds a stray dog without a collar, it's love at first sight! Even though the dog doesn't like any of the names she picks out for it and can't seem to behave for even a minute, Babymouse just knows this mouse-dog relationship is meant to be.

Or is it?

As always, this eighth adventure starring Babymouse is another winner. You can't help but love her, even when her schemes go wrong, or her hilarious daydreams take a turn for the worse. Sister/brother team Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm have got Babymouse down to a science, and I for one can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Editorial Review:

In the tradition of Snoopy, of Clifford, and of Lassie comes another great dog story for the ages . . . Babymouse: Puppy Love! Babymouse doesn’t exactly have a great history with pets–even her goldfish ran away from home. But all that’s about to change. Will Babymouse get the dog of her dreams? Will she ever find her missing fish? Find out in the eighth exciting Babymouse graphic novel! “Ruff! Four paws up!”–The Canine Courier Growing up, brother-sister team Matthew and Jennifer Holm had numerous beloved pets, including the creatively named Ruffy–best known for once sporting a pink mohawk and eating an entire chocolate birthday cake.

Babymouse #7: Skater Girl (Babymouse)

Jennifer L. Holm, Matt Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Babymouse #7 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The book is enjoyable and funny especially, when babymouse wants to be a pro skater but she keeps falling when she jumps up to high. She wants to attend ice-skating classes but she never knew she had to go early in the morning.

Editorial Review:

BEST GYMNAST. BEST speller. Best kazoo player. It seems everyone has a talent except Babymouse. That is, until Babymouse takes to the ice and surprises everyone with her spectacular spins and jubilant jumps. Until the famous Olympic coach, Coach Bearnakorva, discovers her and asks Babymouse to be her new protege. Will Babymouse's dreams of a medal come true? Or is she treading on thin ice? Find out in the seventh Babymouse adventure: Skater Girl!

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff

Jennifer L. Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The perils of middle school/junior high: a sweet read 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

As I scrabbled through my purse to find the receipt the other day, the flotsam and jetsam of my life floated out too. There was a post-it note with a phone number I needed, a receipt for the dog's visit to the vet, a class schedule, a flash drive and various other artifacts and odd bits of life that really do tell the story of my daily existence.

As I picked up Jennifer Holm's book, Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff and began to read, my purse's contents flashed through my mind. Using notes, programs, hair salon receipts, report cards, post-it notes, greeting cards and newspaper clippings, Holm tells us the story of Ginny Davis.

As the school year begins, Ginny thinks the worst thing she is facing in seventh grade is the cafeteria meatloaf. By reading her instant messages to friends and teacher comments on school papers we begin learn about her family. We learn that she loves ballet and hopes her mother will remarry. We understand that her older brother is having problems and makes his family's life difficult. When her mom remarries, Ginny could not be happier but when her stepfather makes an unfortunate mistake, it puts her into an emotional and academic tail spin as her family life gets crazier.

I do not want to give away too much of this story because the humor and emotion build with each artifact on the page and it would not be fair to the story to spoil the surprises. I became deeply involved in this story and when I saw the image of Ginny's ballet recital program, I gasped.

Jennifer Holm has a gift for creating characters that readers care deeply about. May Amelia, Penny, Babymouse and now Ginny are girls that stay with me even after I finish their stories.

Elicia Castaldi has created the look and feel of real items in an actual scrapbook. She has designed and positioned each item so the story flows naturally. Matt Holm has an illustrator-cameo, contributing some cartoon panels dealing with Ginny's brother.

This novel is very very accessible for readers of all levels and strengths. I would start waving copies of this book ASAP at reading specialists and teachers. Since the story is told in short bursts of information, it would build reading confidence and help readers "see" the story in their imagination as it plays out.

This is a sweet story, cleverly told, that will find an eager audience. Get it on the shelf and stand back. This is going to be a hit.

Editorial Review:

Ginny has ten items on her big to-do list for seventh grade. None of them, however, include accidentally turning her hair pink. Or getting sent to detention for throwing frogs in class. Or losing the lead role in the ballet recital to her ex-best friend. Or the thousand other things that can go wrong between September and June. But it looks like it's shaping up to be that kind of a year! Here's the story of one girl's worst school year ever -- told completely through her stuff.

Babymouse #6: Camp Babymouse

Jennifer L. Holm, Matt Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Awesome fun! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Another hit by the Holms siblings. My younger child enjoys a graphic novel of her own while my teenager steals it to read also!!! Way to go Babymouse.

Fun light reading for 1st grade and up. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

It is nice to have a book that is just fun to read and does not insult intelligence with repetitive text. I highly doubt that any kid will learn to read with Babymouse but they might just learn to love reading. Most teachers poo poo graphic novel format but with 25% of the population as visual picture thinkers and that is increasing it is time to put them on the shelf with pride. Any 1st grader can pick up this book up and enjoy it. Most readers for this age level and reading level are just plain boring. This is a nice change of pace. Just make sure when your big kid steels it to read it they give it back.

Editorial Review:

Welcome to Camp Babymouse! Two weeks of fresh air, fun, and friendship! Babymouse can't wait for the adventures to start. All that she has to do is relax and make sure she doesn't get lost in the wilderness. What could possibly go wrong, right Babymouse? Uh . . . Babymouse? BABYMOUSE? Uh-oh! Will camp be all that Babymouse dreams of? Or is our brave and fearless camper lost forever?! Find out in the sixth Babymouse adventure: Camp Babymouse!

Babymouse #3: Beach Babe

Jennifer L. Holm, Matt Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Irrepressible Spirit of Babymouse Shines Through 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Babymouse: Beach Babe sat on my coffee table the day after it arrived, looking very pink, and calling out, in a high-pitched, squeaky sort of voice "read me." Eventually, just before bedtime, I gave in. And I have to say, after missing the first two books in the series, that I am now in love with Babymouse.

For those of you unfamiliar with the series, the Babymouse books are graphic novels, with engaging pink and black pictures, designed for the 8 to 12 set. They feature an indomitable heroine, with a rich fantasy life, and loving, if largely invisible, parents. This installment begins with Babymouse dreaming of being a surfing champion, only to wake to discover that (oh great joy!) it's the last day of school. After making it through the day, Babymouse learns (oh greater joy!) that her family will be vacationing at the beach. What follows is a mixture of real-life beachside trials and tribulations (sand-castles, surfing, sunburn, and boardwalks) and fantastical adventures (mermaids and genies in magic bottles).

But the real story is Babymouse's relationship with her much younger brother, Squeak. Anyone who has ever had a younger sibling, or been a younger sibling, will be able to relate to the images of Squeak, ready with his kite, eager for his adored older sister to play with him. And, sadly, we can also relate to Squeak's desolation when Babymouse is too busy, running off on her adventures. There's a scene in which Squeak's heart literally breaks, upon rejection from Babymouse. Clearly, the brother-and-sister creators of this book have some real-life experience in matters of older and younger siblings. You'll have to read the book yourself to see how it turns out.

Babymouse: Beach Babe is a quick and easy read, and will definitely appeal to reluctant grade school readers. Two things make the book stand out for me. The first is the irrepressible spirit of Babymouse, as expressed through her actions, through the wonderful drawings, and through her discussions with the invisible narrator. She carries echoes of Anne Shirley in her dramatic failures, and of Pippi Longstocking in her bravado. The other thing that I love about this book is the regular seasoning of small, humorous details. The scene where Babymouse cleans out her locker, finding, among other things, troublesome gnomes, aliens, and the dish that ran away with the spoon, made me laugh out loud.

Babymouse: Beach Babe is the kind of book that you want to read with someone else nearby, so that you can hold it up and say "look at this!" at intervals. I think that my elementary school nieces will adore it. As for me, Babymouse: Beach Babe made me wish that I had been a little nicer to my younger siblings. It also made me nostalgic for childhood summer vacations, where life's biggest problem is "who am I going to play with?" It's an excellent read for the start of the summer.

This book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on May 7, 2006.

Editorial Review:

Grab your sunglasses! School’s out and Babymouse is headed to the beach for a week of sun, sand, surfing, snorkeling, and sharks! That’s right, folks . . . sharks! Looks like Babymouse’s summer fun isn’t shaping up quite the way she expected! Will Babymouse survive her summer vacation? Will she be the surfing star she dreams of being . . . or is she sharkbait?! Find out in Babymouse: Beach Babe, written and illustrated by brother-sister team Matthew Holm and Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm—making a splash this summer!

Babymouse #5: Heartbreaker

Jennifer L. Holm, Matt Holm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Babymouse Rocks!! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

"Babymouse: Heartbreaker" is No. 5 in the rockin' Babymouse series.

Young Babymouse is at it again--daydreaming, struggling with her locker, and trying to fit in with her peers at school.

This time, however, in the fifth installment of the Babymouse series, the Holms have thrown the worst of school indignities--the school dance--Babymouse's way.

A school dance leads to plenty of good daydreaming. Cinderella, handsome princes, makeovers, spectacular feats on the dance floor. It also leads to plenty of real life heartbreak when a "Glamourmouse" makeover fails and no one asks Babymouse to the dance.

Now what I really love about the Babymouse series is that Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm don't reach for the easy solutions. And, they don't pander to their audience by choosing romantic, cliched endings. Instead, an off-panel voice suggests to Babymouse that she might ask someone to the dance. And she gives it a go. And FAILS, as one might fail in real life. Then, an off-panel voice suggests she attend the dance by herself. Babymouse scratches her head and says, "Myself? I can do that?" Yes, she can and does. You go, girl! (Or, er, mouse.)

My favorite parts of the Babymouse books are always those set in school. In this Valentine's Day offering, we're told "School was not a very romantic place" and Matthew Holm's characteristic pink and black panels show glum-looking "children" getting off the bus, hands on backpack straps. Indeed. At least there's Babymouse to brighten the day. Every school library should have multiple sets.

Editorial Review:

AHHH, VALENTINE'S DAY! Babymouse loves Valentines Day! A day for pink hearts! Flowers! Candy! School dances and romance . . . sweet
romance! WAIT! Romance? Ew! And what's this about a school dance? Does that mean Babymouse needs a date? Uh-oh! Looks like this
Valentine's Day may turn into a Valentine's dud! Will Babymouse go to the school dance? Will she get any Valentines? Will she find true love? Find out in . . . Babymouse: Heartbreaker!