The miniature world of Marvin & James

Broach and Murphy bring back James and his beetle best 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 a younger crowd, and so are the insecurities and frustrations Marvin is feeling as James prepares to go on a trip to the beach without him ("Marvin does not want to help James pack. But at least it is something they can do together"). James leaves in the first chapter and doesn't return until the fifth and final one; while he's away, Marvin goes exploring with his cousin Elaine, a journey that takes a genuinely harrowing turn when they get stuck in Mr. Pompaday's mechanical pencil sharpener. Murphy's pen-and-ink illustrations shift from glee to horror as she shows the bug-eyed beetles cannonballing into the soft pit of pencil shavings, only to have their escape route plugged by a pencil. Despite the simplicity of Broach's pared-down sentences, the story brims with both emotion and moments of quiet wisdom. Ages 6-9. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

CHAPTER ONE James Says Good-bye Marvin is sad. James is going away. "Just to the beach," James tells him. Mrs. Pompaday and William are going too. Only Mr. Pompaday will stay. Marvin does not like Mr. Pompaday. James says, "I will be back in a week." That does not make Marvin feel better. A week is a long time! He will miss James. He rolls into a ball, like this: James leans close to Marvin. "Don't be sad, little guy. When I come home, I'll bring you a surprise!" Even that does not make Marvin feel better. What will he do without James? James is his best friend. "You can help me pack," James says. He lifts his suitcase onto the bed. Marvin does not want to help James pack. But at least it is something they can do together. James has a list of everything he needs to pack. He puts the list on his desk. "Now, when I say something, cross it off," James tells Marvin. He opens the bottle of ink on the desk. He puts the cap next to Marvin with a little ink in it. Marvin can't read, but he is good at crossing things off. He dips his front legs in the ink. "One," says James. "Socks." He puts socks in the suitcase. Marvin draws a line through the first word on the list. "Two," says James. "Underwear." He puts underwear in the suitcase. Marvin draws a line through the second word. "Three ... swimsuit." James puts his swimsuit in the suitcase. It has dragonflies on it. Marvin thinks it would look nicer with beetles. He draws a line through the third word on the list. "Four ... pajamas." James puts his pajamas in the suitcase. Marvin draws a line through the fourth word. "See? You are really helping!" James tells him. "That is half my list. Five ... shirts." He puts shirts in the suitcase. Oops! Marvin has no more ink on his legs. He dips them in the cap again. He draws a line through the fifth word on the list. "Six ... shorts. My suitcase is almost full." James squeezes his shorts into the suitcase. Marvin draws a line through the sixth word on the list. "Seven ... toothbrush. I always forget my toothbrush," James tells Marvin. "That's why I made a list in the first place." He puts his toothbrush in the suitcase. Marvin draws a line through the seventh word. There is only one word left. "Eight ... book! That's everything," says James. He takes a book from his shelf. Marvin draws a line through the last word on the list. "There's no room," James says. He puts the book on the floor and moves things around in the suitcase. "James!" Mrs. Pompaday calls. "Are you ready? We can't be late for the plane." "Coming, Mom," James says. He zips his suitcase shut. Uh-oh! The book is still on the floor. James will forget his book! Marvin runs over the list. All the words are crossed off. He taps his legs on number eight. James sees him. "Good job!" he says. "You crossed off everything." Marvin keeps tapping. James puts on his shoes. Marvin runs around in circles. "Don't worry," James says. "I'll be back soon." Marvin runs to the cap of ink and dips his legs in it. James stands up. "Time to go." Marvin runs back to the paper and draws this: Finally, James understands. "Oh!" he says. "I forgot my book!" He finds the book on the floor and puts it in his suitcase. Marvin sighs. "Thanks, little guy!" James smiles at Marvin. "You are a big help." He pats Marvin's shell. "Good-bye! See you in a week." Marvin lifts one leg and waves good-bye. He is still sad. But at least he helped James pack, and James did not forget his book. Text copyright © 2014 by Elise Broach Illustrations copyright © 2014 by Kelly Murphy Excerpted from The Miniature World of Marvin and James by Elise Broach All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.