Megabat Megastar

In Megabat Megastar, the newest installment of the “Megabat” series, Anna Humphrey once again looks at the world through the eyes of Megabat, the little fruit bat “with an insatiable appetite for adventure” and Daniel’s best friend. Daniel wants to buy Codie Oaties cereal, named after the famous singer Codie McMan. The cereal box outlines a video contest to win VIP passes to Codie’s new concert. Daniel is determined to enter the best video with the help of his friends, Megabat and Talia.

Megabat enlists the help of Priscilla the cat and Birdgirl, Megabat’s pigeon sweetheart. They are working hard on the video using Daniel’s father’s cell phone when disaster strikes! The phone slips and the screen cracks! Megabat feels guilty for dropping the phone. “Mine is a clutzy-wutzy, bad-bad bat…Yours never should have maked mine the movie boss.” (p. 39) Daniel must now pay for the broken phone.

Megabat decides to find the money to repair the phone. But how? He goes to the bank machine to get money, but realizes he cannot access any money. The Music Man in the park tells him that he has to earn the money like famous Codie McMan. Megabat decides he must become famous in order to give Daniel the money to repair his father’s broken phone. “Famousness makeses money.” (p. 53) The quest for fame leads Megabat to engage in some very foolish, hilarious, and, at times, destructive activities.

Megabat wants to become a Megastar, but realizes that becoming famous is not easy. He may understand the trappings of stardom – strutting, pouting, and wearing cool things – but the logistics of fame elude him. His ultimate attempt to become famous at Daniel’s parents’ party is a disaster! When Daniel realizes that Megabat is to blame, he is annoyed at his friend but eventually forgives him. Daniel explains that he doesn’t need Megabat to be famous. He needs the little bat to just be his friend. Megabat realizes that fame may make you rich, but the best kind of success is brightening someone’s day.

This fifth book in the “Megabat” series will appeal to young readers who are trying to find their place in the world. Megabat’s twisty vocabulary will appeal to those readers who are learning to read and write on their own. Megabat Megastar will allow readers and caregivers to talk about issues such as: feeling insecure, looking for fame, valuing accomplishments, feeling empathy, making mistakes, and forgiving others. The little bat and his friend Daniel learn an important lesson: “Famousness…it’s is indeedly a pickle.” (p. 149)