A Flying Birthday Cake

I liked the book and I don't want to tell you what happens, but The Flying Birthday Cake has nothing to do with a flying birthday cake! If you are expecting a birthday cake to fly, you might be a little disappointed like I was.

Marvin Redpost is a third grader whose friends don't like the new kid in school, Joe Normal, but he finds that Joe is friendly and fun. What should he do? The dialogue is funny, and even though the text is easy enough to be enjoyed by beginning readers the concepts of friendship and family are not too simplistic.We found this fun book at a garage sale, and based on the interesting characters and fun plot, we will get more of this series.

What makes this a standout even among the Marvin Redpost series is the subtlety. As usual, Marvin is faced with a puzzling reality, in this case a new boy at school who never changes his clothes and who has serious glitches in his knowledge base. And, as usual, Marvin is faced with a moral dilemma, in this case: should he be friends with this misfit whom he discovers he actually likes? Marvin, never speculates that this boy could be from outer space, but the reader certainly does. In the end we are left wondering, is he, or isn't he?

Anyone who's read any of the Marvin Redpost books knows what a delight they are. This one has some of the funniest moments in the entire series. It's well worthwhile. (As an aside, note that, now that Louis Sachar has won the Newbery and the National Book Award for "Holes," Horn Book has begun to review his books with the respect they have always deserved.)