Karla Oceanak

I received this title through a GoodReads FirstReads drawing and did so not for my own amusement but for rather for that of my youngest daughter. Her "discriminating" opinions about any foodstuff which does not end with the paired syllables "ber-ger" makes her a perfect target for such a tome.

It's also worth noting that I write this review from the standpoint of one who has perused the novel briefly and passed it along to the eventual reader but hasn't consumed every single word. While I generally take the time to read books before I hand them out I found that the cartoon-style of this one especially was just a bit too much for my addled and aged mind to wade through. Nevertheless what I did see seemed wholesome and endearing and seemed likely to amuse the target age group.

My youngest, upon merely seeing the cover descended into fits of giddiness and is anxious to consume it and provide her "book report" to me. When once this happens I will report dutifully back to this review with the results. Preliminary reports, however, are all to the positive.… (more)

“Egghead” by Karla Oceanak is the fifth book in a series that will eventually cover the whole alphabet. Aldo Zelnick in the narrator. He is 10 years old, very bright, and doesn’t like Spanish.

I dislike books that talk down to children. Children are smart and books should treat them that way. Thank goodness Ms. Oceanak agrees with me! This was such a fun book to read. It is fun to “read” Aldo’s journal as he deals with learning Spanish and getting ready for Halloween. The cool thing about this book is that the author likes to put in a lot of words that start with “E,” put an asterisk next to the word, and then put the definition in the back of the book. Along the way we learn a little bit of Spanish. Aldo is an “A” student, except in Spanish where he pulls a “D.” His best friend, Jack, is bilingual and tries to help Aldo. Aldo has a vivid imagination and it shows through all the little drawings and side comments that he makes throughout the book.

I would highly recommend this book for kids ages 8 or 9 up. Aldo is a blast to hang out and it never hurts that the reader may learn a few new things along the way.

**This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**… (more)