Because I am a lover of many types of books, let’s take a huge leap from neurotic, heartbreaking stories of teens to a whimsical story about a boy who unwittingly finds himself plucked from his lonely childhood and pulled head first into a world of dangerous and very hungry giants. Milo Speck, Accidental Agent is perfect for primary and elementary-level teachers and students (and, as I will say time and again, those of us who are young at heart).
I can envision primary grade teachers sitting with classes of children all gathered comfortably on couches and carpets listening intently to Milo’s adventures. Because Linda Urban provides a wonderful balance of suspense, humor, and heart, the story affords a great opportunity for teacher readers to draw children in. I can imagine the surprise in their eyes when they learn that Milo has been pulled through his clothes dryer into the land of Ogregon where gargantuan ogres are plotting to eat him for dinner. I can hear them cheering Milo on as he rescues Jane, Ernesto, and Little Dude from their own date with an ogre dinner. I think about how their hearts will melt when they find out how Tuck’s father was taken from her and how she is not as rough and tough as she first appears. The suspenseful twist at the end of the book and the implication that there are sure to be further adventures will be the perfect hook for those primary-grade students who are ready to tackle chapter books.
In addition, elementary-grade readers who have been intimidated by chapter books may find that this book is the one that gives them the confidence to read independently. Urban writes short, non-intimidating chapters, using accessible vocabulary. This is not to say that it is too simple. Reluctant readers will encounter rich vocabulary such as shudder, muttering, gadgetry, sarcasm, ruddy, hurling, and more. They will also have to grapple with tough concepts, like why Tuck says, “But I still wish we could have captured him instead. Maybe brought him back to the Agency and made him stand trial instead of…” in reference to the fate of Lyndon (p. 238). In addition, they will be left to ponder how Milo has been left alone by his parents and the fact that his mother is missing. Readers will have to weigh whether or not his parents are right to put their work above their son. Or, is that what they are doing?
So, for all of my past students who are teaching at these grade levels, I want to hear from you. Did your students like the read aloud? (Remember, you need to practice, practice, practice your voices, inflection, etc. before reading. Make them great read alouds.) How did your reluctant readers like it? Have them write their own blog post in response to this one. I cannot wait to start the conversation. Thanks Linda Urban for giving us such a fun book to talk about. If I remember correctly, Linda Urban said at Tweens Read in Houston (if you have never been...go...every October) that her son asked her to write this book. I am so glad that he did.
To listen to a book talk about this book go to Book Talk: Milo Speck, Accidental Agent
Milo Speck, Accidental Agent, 272 pages from HMH Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2015); ISBN-10: 0544419510 & ISBN-13: 978-0544419513
Ideal for young children, primary and early elementary (or those of us who are just young at heart).
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