Morgan and the Dune Racer. (First Novels).

________________ CM . . . . Volume XVIII Number 23 . . . . February 17, 2012

cover
Morgan and the Dune Racer. (First Novels).

Ted Staunton. Illustrated by Bill Slavin.
Halifax, NS: Formac, 2011.
63 pp., pbk.& hc., $5.95 (pbk.), $14.95 (hc.).

ISBN 978-0-88780-965-1 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-88780-966-8 (hc.).

Grades 2-4 / Ages 7-9.

Review by John Dryden.

*** /4

excerpt:

Aldeen snorts, “He can’t do that. I gave it to him for his birthday.”

“I know,” I say, “and it was really nice, but Charlie wants it even more than me and I feel bad.” And I do. Now what if I just hurt Aldeen’s feelings?

Morgan wants to buy a dune racer at Charlie’s yard sale. Aldeen buys it before Morgan can. Morgan gets mad at both of them; Charlie for selling it, and Aldeen for buying it because they both knew he wanted it! Morgan’s birthday is coming up, but the dune racer is no longer available at stores. This makes Morgan more mad at his friends! To top it off, Charlie and Aldeen are supposed to be at his birthday party in a few days. How is Morgan supposed to get over his anger and feel good about his friends by the time the party arrives? Well, it turns out that Aldeen bought the dune racer to give to Morgan for his birthday. Then, Charlie explains that he really likes the dune racer and would like it back! Morgan gives it to Charlie and offers to pay Aldeen back.

     Ted Staunton’s newest addition to the “Morgan| series is excellent. As usual, the plot in this series is focussed, funny, and believable. This short story is a good tale about friendship and good character. The conflict presented in the story is one to which many readers will be able to relate. The solution, albeit a little surprising, is still believable.

     Bill Slavin once again illustrates this series. The illustrations are very good and add a lot to giving the reader an idea of what the context of the story is.

     Morgan and the Dune Racer would make a short read aloud or a good, but short, library read.

Recommended.

John Dryden teaches Grade 5 6 and is a teacher librarian in BC’s Cowichan Valley.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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