Beezy: Stories by Megan McDonald by Megan McDonald, Nancy Poydar (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Beezy and her best friend Merlin, who live in Florida, wait out a hurricane, find a dog, and make friends with a circus performer.

Publishers Weekly

A trio of breezy tales fills this beginning reader, which stars the peppy title character and her easygoing best buddy, Merlin. McDonald (The Great Pumpkin Switch) shrewdly gives each selection a theme or setting loaded with child appeal: in "Eye of the Storm," the lights go out, candles make spooky shadows and the two youngsters listen to tales of a long-ago hurricane; Beezy secretly hopes no one will respond to her notice about a stray dog she has found in "Funnybone"; and in the third, she and Merlin make friends with a new girl, "Sarafina Zippy," whose parents are circus performers. The author's cleverly subtle repetition of words and phrases, often appearing in the punchy dialogue among the young characters is well suited to beginning readers. And her ear for the way children speak is on target, as when Beezy tells Sarafina that she has known Merlin her "whole life," or at least since the age of two, "except for one week when I was mad at him." In step with the stories' energetic stride, Poydar's (Cool Ali) cheerful, brightly hued pictures imbue Beezy and her companions with an extra measure of personality. Ages 6-8. (Sept.)

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--In three short stories styled just right for the beginning-to-read crowd, Beezy waits out a Florida hurricane with her Gran; adopts a homeless dog she names Funnybone; and befriends newcomer Sarafina Zippy, whose parents are the Flying Zippys in the Pickle Circus. McDonald uses lots of word repetition and short sentences, injects dialogue in a natural way, and repeats story elements within the plot, which will be helpful for problem readers, without losing any punch to the narrative. Poydar follows suit: the full-color illustrations are delivered with zest and are integrated into the text for an easy flow between word and image. McDonald delivers another winner.--Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Kirkus Reviews

A new chapter-book heroine emerges in a set of three easy stories: Beezy has fun during a hurricane with her grandmother and friends; gains a pet by taking care of a stray dog; and gets to know a vivacious new neighborSarafina Zippy, who is rumored to be tattooed and from the circus. The author of My House Has Stars (1996), McDonald (who reviews for this publication) effectively introduces the characters in a lively text and sets the stage for more books about Beezy; Poydar's energetic illustrations brim with whimsy, joy, and action. While readers never learn if Sarafina has a tattoo, this book is a breezy, pleasing read.

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