The Miniature World of Marvin & James - Masterpiece Adventures by Elise Broach Paperback

About the Book

Book Synopsis

In this Masterpiece Adventure, the first in a companion series for younger readers from bestselling author Elise Broach, James is going on vacation for a week. His best friend, Marvin the beetle, has to stay at home. Without James to keep him company, Marvin has to play with his annoying cousin, Elaine. Marvin and Elaine quickly find themselves getting into all sorts of trouble--even getting trapped inside a pencil sharpener! Marvin misses James and starts to worry about their friendship. Will James still be Marvin's friend when he gets home or will James have found a new best friend?

The Miniature World of Marvin and James by Elise Broach, with illustrations by Kelly Murphy, is the first in a series of chapter books set in the world of the acclaimed middle-grade novel Masterpiece.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Review Quotes

"Page-turning adventure." --The Horn Book

"This winsome series debut is both a sweet story of cross-species friendship and a sobering new way to look at pencil sharpeners." --Kirkus Reviews

"Inventive . . . Broach . . . packs this fast-moving story with perennially seductive themes: hidden lives and secret friendships, miniature worlds lost to disbelievers . . . Broach and Kelly show readers something new." --Publishers Weekly starred review on Masterpiece

"Delightful intricacies of beetle life . . . blend seamlessly with the suspenseful caper as well as the sentimental story of a complicated-but-rewarding friendship . . . Murphy's charming pen-and-ink drawings populate the short chapters of this funny, winsome novel." --Kirkus Reviews on Masterpiece

"This marvelous story is sure to be a hit." --School Library Journal on Masterpiece

"Despite the simplicity of Broach's pared-down sentences, the story brims with both emotion and moments of quiet wisdom." --Publishers Weekly on Masterpiece

About the Author

Elise Broach is the New York Times-bestselling author of books for children and young adults, including Desert Crossing, Shakespeare's Secret, Masterpiece, and the Superstition Mountain Mysteries series. Her books have been selected as ALA Notable Books, Junior Library Guild selections, the recipient of an E.B. White Read Aloud Award, and an Edgar Award nominee, among other distinctions. She lives in Connecticut with her family.

Kelly Murphy has illustrated many books for children including Masterpiece, Alex and the Amazing Time Machine, and the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist books. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.