The Last Notebook of Leonardo (LeapKids) - Softcover

Wurge, B.B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1935248146 ISBN 13: 9781935248149

Publisher: Leapfrog Press, 2010

Synopsis

Praise for Squiggle and Billy and the Birdfrogs:

"The characters are exceptional, weird, true to life, funny, scary, different, and definitely perk the story . . . an exceptional job. . . . Children will truly enjoy this book."—Midwest Book Review

"Billy survives by the sheer weight of its own insane internal logic. . . . For those funny-book junkies out there, Billy fulfills a need. Downright weird, and that's a-okay with me, it's worth a gander."—School Library Journal

"One of the best books we have read this year . . . intelligent, well composed, with a strong narrative, likable characters, and just enough scariness and tension to make it hard to put down."—BooksForKids.com

"Mystery, suspense, and conflict build a plot of nonstop adventure. Character development is superb . . . clever illustrations, delightful humor, and a marvelous story. . . . Entertaining, downright funny, and highly imaginative. A great read."—Midwest Book Review

Jem's father, a scientific genius, turns himself into a nine-foot orangutan. When their landlord suggests that they leave, they pack their belongings onto a huge wagon and set out on the ultimate adventure: to find the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, who, according to his last notebook, may not have died in Italy. They are joined by an old Indian woman, and the threesome's adventures lead to the most unlikely of places—and meetings. Tidbits of science, fun facts about da Vinci and his works, and B.B. Wurge's trademark wacky humor, minimalist illustrations, and lessons on the importance of family make this third novel as exciting as the last two.

About this title

About the Author

B.B. Wurge began writing children's books after his first career as an orangutan in a primate house. He says, “I’ve been told the world is crazy, more now than ever. Children can navigate through our crazy world if they stick to fundamental principles: loyalty to family and friends, compassion, and an open imagination.” He is the author of the middle-grade novels Billy and the Birdfrogs and Squiggle. Wurge lives in an elevator in Manhattan.

Reviews

Gr 4-6–This is a funny, unique, wacky story. Ten-year-old Jem's dad is a scientist who idolizes Leonardo da Vinci. He has also happily turned himself into a seven-foot-tall, five-foot-wide, incredibly hairy orangutan. Carl can still talk in his normal voice, but the change appears to be permanent. He is fired from his job and kicked out of restaurants, and finally the landlord orders the pair from their no-pets apartment. Jem and Carl quickly rally with a plan to visit da Vinci's grave. According to Carl's calculations, Lenny's final resting place is in America. Thus begins their madcap journey from Manhattan through the Catskills, living out of a wagon and camping alongside snowy roads. The characters are wonderfully developed, especially the lively Native American woman who stops to pick up Jem and Carl. The father-son relationship is warm and realistically portrayed. By the end of the tale, readers can understand how Jem so readily accepts his dad's orangutan state. Humorous accounts of Carl trying to eat or wear human clothes add more spice to this already charming read. Think Barbara Park's The Kid in the Red Jacket (Yearling, 1988) meets Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth (Random, 1961). Stick drawings are scattered throughout. The novel would be fun to pair with a nonfiction book about da Vinci, or the story could be used as a jumping-off point for a creative writing assignment. This is a delightful book that readers will be unable to put down.–Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NCα(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Leapfrog Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1935248146
• ISBN 13: 9781935248149
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 154