Alvin Ho Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Alvin Ho Allergic to Girls, School, and other Scary Things by Lenore Look

(Grades 1-5)

Alvin Ho is a young, second-grade boy with a love for superheroes, a fabulous family and a multitude of fears. These fears, or "allergies" as Alvin calls them, range from school and girls to heights and scary movies. He doesn't talk in school, only at home and on the bus where things feel a bit safer. Alvin struggles to make friends and avoids his best friend because "nobody wants a girl desk buddy, except for maybe a girl." He handles his setbacks well (often with hilarious results) and is always prepared with his PDK (personal disaster kit). Older brother Calvin gives some no-nonsense advice on how to make friends by first saying hello, then trading baseball cards. 

Author Lenore Look has somehow tapped into the excitement and insecurity known to many a young boy.  She does it with humor and sensitivity. Young readers making the jump to chapter books will laugh out loud and hope for more. I loved this book and am anxious to share it with my own son. 

Also check out Lenore Look's Ruby Lu series, Ruby Lu, Brave and True and Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything.

To find this book in our library, visit www.newberglibrary.org.

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff