Marvin, the beetle, is the narrator and artistic genius of this warm, humorous and intelligently written book. The story follows the adventures of Marvin and a boy named James in New York City, specifically the human/insect encounter in their apartment and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Marvin is the artist, James is the conservator of the copies that look like ones done by a famous artist. There is also a staged art heist into which the two are drawn. The novel has just the right blend of suspense, mystery, humor, and compassion to appeal to the middle grade audience.
Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee 2012
Date read: 5/9/2011
ISBN-10: 0312608705
ISBN-13: 9780312608705
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