Joe and Sparky, superstars!

Format:

Book

Title:

Joe and Sparky, superstars!

Author:

Michalak, Jamie.

ISBN:

9780763645786

Edition:

1st ed.

Publication Information:

Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2011.

Physical Description:

37 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm

Contents:

New friends -- The dance lesson -- Sparky tells a joke -- Sparky the star.

Summary:

When Joe the giraffe and his friend Sparky, a turtle, see a television talent show, Joe tries to find Sparky's talent so that they can compete.

Reading Level:

Elementary Grade.

270 Lexile.

Program Information:

Accelerated Reader 2.0.

Reading Counts! 1.7.

Subject(s):

Ability -- Juvenile fiction.

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.

Giraffe -- Juvenile fiction.

Turtles -- Juvenile fiction.

Ability -- Fiction.

Friendship -- Fiction.

Genre:

Readers (Publications)

Added Author:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Salem Main Library	JER Mic	Searching... Unknown
Searching... McMinnville Public Library	Michalak, J.	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Sheridan Public Library	J ER Michalak	Searching... Unknown

The unlikely duo return in a very funny tale of friendship, derring-do, and the discovery that, bold or shy, anyone can become a superstar.

When fun-seeking Joe, a giraffe, takes a reluctant Sparky, a turtle, on a wild ride across the famous cageless zoo to see a mysterious box displaying a talent show, the two decide they must compete to be the next famous pair. But what are their talents? Joe can run fast, wiggle his ears, and touch his nose with his tongue (not to mention drive a car). But Sparky doesn't know what his special skill is. Can the enthusiastic encouragement of Joe the World's Best Talent Finder help the retiring Sparky become a star?

Author Notes

Jamie Michalak is the author of Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels and the Brand New Readers book Larry and Rita . She says, "Turtles rarely get the spotlight, so I wanted to write a story that gave Sparky the attention turtles have long deserved. Little did I know that he'd have such an astounding hidden talent." Jamie Michalak lives in Barrington, Rhode Island.

Frank Remkiewicz has illustrated many books for children, including J oe and Sparky Get New Wheels and Piggy and Dad Go Fishing . He lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 1-2-Sparky the turtle is having a hard time. He wants to help his friend Joe the giraffe win the Talented Pairs contest hosted by television personality Grant Wish, but ever since he left the comfort and safety of his warm rock, he has failed at every activity he's tried. He can't learn comedy from a monkey or a Hokey Pokey dance routine from his best friend. Lessons in balancing are unsuccessful; practice ends with a tumble. Exhausted after trying to win a race against an ostrich, Sparky says, "I cannot be Sparky the Star. Just for you, Joe, I have tried. But we will never be a talented pair." Joe will not give up though. As they walk back to their home at the Safari Land cageless zoo, they discover a talent they share involving shadows. They may not end up on television, but when they perform, it's to an appreciative audience. Summer scenes rendered in watercolor and prismacolor pencil appear on every page of this easy reader. Each of the four short chapters is episodic and contains humorous dialogue. The font is large and at times changes in appearance to reflect emotion and sound. Michalak and Remkiewicz have written another enjoyable book about two friends who bring out the best in each other.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

After catching a glimpse of a reality TV performance contest, giraffe Joe decides that he and turtle pal Sparky will become "Superstars." Unfortunately finding their shared special talent isn't so easy for the pair. Though the story can be hard to follow, the lively text and humorous art, showing the creatures trying their best for greatness, will attract readers. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

(Early reader. 5-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.