Early Readers
A Trip to the Country for Marvin and James
Book 5 in The Masterpiece Adventures
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Henry Holt and Company, April 2020
For ages 6-9
In this final book of the series, Marvin accompanies James to visit his father and stepmother in the country, and he gets to bring his cousin Elaine! Together, the three friends take a train ride and enjoy exciting outdoor adventures. But a fun sailboat excursion for the beetles turns suddenly dangerous. Will Marvin, Elaine, and James ever make it back home again?
• A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
“Combining adventure, imagination, and an enjoyable story, this fifth volume in the Masterpiece Adventures series ends on a reassuring note: even when they grow up, Marvin and James will always be friends.”
– Booklist
Marvin and James Save the Day (and Elaine helps!)
Book 4 in The Masterpiece Adventures
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Henry Holt and Company, April 2019
For ages 6-9
James’s father, Karl, is getting married to Christina! James is happy, but also worried about the big changes ahead. When he goes to the wedding, he brings along his best friend, Marvin the beetle, and Marvin’s cousin Elaine — and thank goodness, because when something goes wrong, James will need their help to save the day!
• A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
Praise for The Masterpiece Adventure Series:
“Full of drama and heart, this is the kind of series that can show newly independent readers the power of a good story.”
– Kirkus
“Wonderful fare for transitional readers.”
– Booklist
“Just right for a younger crowd. . . brims with both emotion and moments of quite wisdom.”
– Publishers Weekly
Trouble at School for Marvin and James
Book 3 in The Masterpiece Adventures
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Henry Holt and Company, April 2017
For ages 6-9
In The Masterpiece Adventures’ third volume, Marvin goes to school with James! He is so excited to make pictures in Art class, play with the globe in Social Studies, and finally see all of James’s school friends. Everything is going wonderfully until lunchtime, when someone sneezes and Marvin ends up in the TRASH. How will he ever find James again?
• A READ-TO-THEM One School, One Book SELECTION
• A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
“This is a great early chapter book choice for emerging readers, especially for children who enjoy stories about kids with non-human best friends, like Henry and Mudge, or children who have a sense of wonder about the possibility of befriending small sentient beings but are not quite ready for The Borrowers.”
– Youth Services Book Reviews
James to the Rescue
Book 2 in The Masterpiece Adventures
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Henry Holt and Company, February 2016
For ages 6-9
In the second book of the Masterpiece Adventures series, the beetles are happily embarking on a collecting expedition — searching for human objects that they can put to use at home — when Uncle Albert injures himself in a terrible accident. Marvin knows there is only one way to save his uncle, and he needs the help of his best friend, James!
• A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
“The characters have distinct personalities, the story is well-paced, and the focus on unlikely alliances and mutual trust suffuses the tale with warmth. Full of drama and heart, this is the kind of series that can show newly independent readers the power of a good story.”
– Kirkus
“Kids will be fascinated by the tiny characters’ adventures and their creative repurposing of items, just as earlier readers enjoyed Mary Norton’s The Borrowers (1952) and John Peterson’s The Littles (1967). . . Wonderful fare for transitional readers.”
– Booklist
“The emotional connection between James and Marvin is clear, and the exciting plot compels readers to keep turning the pages. . . The possibilities for adventure are endless, and young readers and teachers looking for a quick, satisfying read (and read-aloud) for the early primary grades will enjoy this installment and look forward to many more.”
– The Horn Book
The Miniature World of Marvin and James
Book 1 in The Masterpiece Adventures
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Henry Holt and Company, February 2014
For ages 6-9
Marvin and James are back! Intended for younger readers, these early chapter books are companions to the middle-grade mystery Masterpiece. The artistic beetle and the shy, observant boy embark on a new series of adventures that both test and deepen their friendship. In Book I, The Miniature World of Marvin and James, the Pompadays go away on vacation and Marvin worries that James will forget all about his beetle best friend back home. To keep busy, Marvin joins his cousin Elaine on an escapade that lands them both in serious trouble. Hint: it involves an electric pencil sharpener!
• AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH
• CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2014
• BANK STREET COLLEGE BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR, 2014
• A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
“Elise Broach’s transitional reader about the stars of her longer novel Masterpiece is just right. It’s long enough for children to feel accomplished at its completion without feeling overwhelmed; it hits the right balance of text and illustrations; and it deals with a common dilemma that seven- and eight-year-olds face. . . This wise and funny book will provide much-needed reassurance to children.”
– Shelf Awareness
“Broach and Murphy bring back James and his beetle friend Marvin–previously seen in 2008’s acclaimed Masterpiece–in this first book in the Masterpiece Adventures series of chapter books. Their cross-species friendship is just right for the younger crowd, and so are the insecurities and frustrations Marvin is feeling. . . the story brims with both emotion and moments of quiet wisdom.”
– Publishers Weekly
“The dramatic, blow-by-blow pencil-sharpener incident dominates the story, but it circles back to friendship. James really did miss Marvin after all, and a souvenir seashell (the perfect beetle hideout!) seals the deal. This winsome series debut is both a sweet story of cross-species friendship and a sobering new way to look at pencil sharpeners.”
– Kirkus
“New readers will be rewarded for the effort by this page-turning adventure, which is written throughout with emotional authenticity and illustrated with lively pen-and-ink illustrations in a brown and gray palette, ending with a very satisfying conclusion.”
– The Horn Book