Marvin Redpost: Kidnapped at Birth?

Reread a decade after the first time. Still think it's 3 stars. I like how Sachar's kids, *and* their parents and other people, are real. They're drawn to appeal to diverse readers, but are still not simple iconographic cardboard. Still, this just doesn't stand out to me. Even as a kid I would be all 'oh the poor king, still can't find his own son.'

Unlike the first time, though, I won't stop here. I checked out a whole stack of Marvin Redpost from my library, because I love Sachar's work and he just doesn't write fast enough for me.

Nine-year-old Marvin Redpost has finally figured out why he has red hair and blue eyes, while everyone else in his family has brown hair and brown eyes. He is not really Marvin Redpost. He is Robert, the lost prince of Shampoon. Now all he has to do is break the news to his "former" parents.

Marvin Redpost may be deluded, he may be dreaming, he may be filled with anxiety, but he's never boring! The typical third-grader has ALL the fears and trepidations that any kid might have, and then some. Always hilarious, readers will eat him up.

"Sachar writes for beginning readers with a comic simplicity that is never banal. Kids will love the frankness." — Booklist

Written at the 2nd Grade level, this is the sort of book that young children like. However, I was less than enthusiastic about this particular book in the Marvin Redpost series because it just seems creepy to my adult-mind that the story repeatedly referred to dead children.

I realize kids won't think of the references like I do, but this is my review and in this particular case, my personal feelings. And here are some examples of text that bothered me.

"We just have to figure out a way to tell the King," said Stuart. "And you can't let your parents know. If they're the kidnappers, they'll kill you for sure."

Also,

"I don't know if my son is alive or dead," said the King. (His son was kidnapped at birth and he was on the news letting show more people know that he had never given up looking for his child.)

and,

"So parents just keep taking home the wrong babies from this hospital?" asked Mrs. North.

"The real Marvin Redpost could have died," said Casey. "But then the people in the hospital discovered they had this extra baby...."

and finally,

Linzy burst into tears. "I love you, Marvin," she sobbed. "Don't be dead." (After Marvin announced to his family that he was the King's son and that their real sibling and child was no doubt dead.)

I wish I could say that this was the extent of the talk about murder and death, but it isn't. It's probably mentioned three or four other times, and like I said, I found it creepy. I also wasn't all that thrilled about the reference to leaving a baby in a garbage bin.

"I bet that's it!" said Nick. "The kidnappers left you in a garbage bin. Then a policeman found you and took you to an orphanage. And then Mr. and Mrs. Redpost adopted you."

Talking Points:::
At our school this is one of the series that the 2nd Graders have read to them. However, not this particular book and I think I know why. I found it just a little creepy... but perhaps that's just my mom-sensibilities.

Pam T~
(reviewer at booksforkids-reviews) show less

I loved this book! This book is a part of series that follows the same boy Marvin Redpost through different adventures. This adventure was about Marvin being possible switched at birth at the hospital. It is such a funny book and Marvin goes through so much trouble to see if he is really a prince that was switched at birth. He even gets a DNA test. It was such a funny book! I enjoyed it. I read it over a span of three weeks with a struggling reader in my placement class.

In my opinion this is a great book. One reason I liked it was because of the illustrations. Since this book is meant for children who are just starting to read chapter books, the illustrations really help enhance the book and help the reader follow along better. For example when Marvin is watching the King of Shampoo on TV, there is an illustration showing that and also showing Marvin’s facial expression. Another reason I liked the book was because of the development of the main character Marvin. The book explained a lot about him like where he lives, what grade he’s in and his friends. The big idea of this book is that even if you don’t look like the rest of your family it doesn’t mean you don’t belong or aren’t in the family

This books talks about something that could happen in a classroom. Children who feel like they don't belong in their family will instantly connect to the book. Marvin believes he could be the prince of Shampoon. This book genre is realistic fiction and very easy to read.

Red-haired Marvin is convinced that the reason he looks different from the rest of his family is that he is really the lost prince of Shampoon