By Lucy K. age 10, Senior Intern
I read The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald for my third book, and I enjoyed it very much. I really liked the end when Alvin calls his sister Daphne, when he originally called her The Pest. I feel like names have power, so when he called her Daphne instead of The Pest I felt how much Alvin had grown throughout the book. Alvin is a creative, brave, and mischievous boy who loves to build inventions. One of his newest inventions, The Sure Shot Paper Slinger, shoots a newspaper into Old Mrs. Huntley's house. She is known as the crazy lady who lives by herself, in what everybody calls the haunted house. Alvin knows he should ask to get the paper…of course, he didn't want to go in the house because he was scared. Alvin convinces his best friend Shoie to come along. The rest of the book is a thrilling adventure and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!
This book reminds me of The Labors of Hercules Beal. Alvin at first is not a very likeable person and is not fun to be around. Especially when he has created one of his inventions and says “I told you it would work!” But towards the end, he grows in his relationship with his sister and his friend Shoie. In The Labors of Hercules Beal, Hurc and his brother Achilles aren't very close, and they are not very respectful of one another and call each other names. However, like Alvin they both grow and love and respect each other towards the end.
Parents may wish to know that there is some sassiness between siblings. Also Daphne loves Alvin for his inventions and not for being himself. But that changes toward the end, being a good lesson. For sensitive kids, this book might be frightening, but I would recommend this to kids who love mysteries! This is a great family read-aloud for all ages. I would recommend reading The Labors of Hercules Beal if you enjoy this book.