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Melonhead (by Katy Kelly)

common sense media says

Playful story full of fun, inventions, trouble, and friends.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say they noticed product placement
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Melonhead and Sam get into trouble because they don't think about consequences. The boys don't mean any harm, but they don't think about dangers that could come to them or others by their actions. Parents talk with the boys about their behavior, but the effect is minimal. Parents also need to know that the boys capture a wild snake and bring it home. They learn to feed it live mice, which is described. Also, there's lots of sugar in this story, from breakfast cereal to junk food snacks.

Positive messages: This story is filled with adults who care about kids, from parents and grandparents, to teachers, shop owners, barbers, and neighbors. The friendships between kids and siblings are supportive, creative, and positive. Interesting to note that one child did not win a prize at the "reinvention fair" because there was too much parental involvement in her work. Melonhead's mother is highly nervous, which explains some of his behavior.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: "Butt," "chicken butt."
Consumerism: Cereal products have much attention: Honeycomb, Count Chocula, Frankenberry, Cocoa Puffs, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cap'N Crunch, Lucky Charms, Apple Jacks. Other sugary products mentioned are Skittles, Hostess Sno-Balls, Pop Tarts, Gummi worms.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on Melonhead

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why and how Melonhead gets into trouble. Does he mean to get into trouble? Do you think his parents do a good job of helping him learn about his actions? Families can also talk about the friendship between Melonhead and Sam, as well as Lucy Rose and Jonique. How do you know they are good friends?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Adam "Melonhead" Melon is a budding inventor with a knack for getting into trouble. He and his best friend, Sam, enter a school science project to recycle an older invention into a new one. Their first idea is to make a shallow-water submarine so that they can help FBI agents catch crooks who might be discussing crimes at the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC. When they realize this idea is not going to work, they come up with a series of other ideas, all equally wacky. Along the way, they spend their days like two 10-year-old boys -- doing homework, mud surfing, catching snakes, and roof running. In the end, and with the help of their daily adventures, the boys find a way to make all their wrong ideas become one giant right one.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

MELONHEAD is a delightful romp through the life of a ten-year-old boy, and is filled with positive good energy. There's plenty of boy and girl appeal in this story full of friendships and classmates. The Washington DC backdrop adds color to the boys' adventures, as famous landmarks are part of their neighborhood.

As the boys come up with new ideas for a reinvention, readers also learn about real-life inventions and the people who invented them. This story is good for reading aloud or reading alone, and is a big high-five.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Katy Kelly
Illustrator: Gillian Johnson
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: March 10, 2009
Number of pages: 224
Hardcover price: $12.99
Read Aloud: 6
Read Alone: 12
This review was written by Kristen Breck
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say they noticed product placement
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Brookland mom
parent of 4 and 9 year old
7
 
Fun book for all ages, but especially good if you are looking for boy readers
This is a funny book that most boys and many girls will identify with. I lent it to a coworker's 7 year old son and he was quoting it. This is an extension of the Lucy Rose series and builds on the characters introduced in that series. They are all worth reading. As a DC parent, I really wish Washington could be this fun and free wheeling for kids, but it does connect.
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (10)
Mrs. Edwards
parent of 5 and 9 year old
6
 
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (8)
boy-got-swagg
adult
13
 
the book { horrible don't read melonhead} of terror [melonhead]
i don' think it's a good book it is so boring it's like watching your teacher read the whole harry potter series in two hours.
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helped me decide | had useful details | read my mind (1)
snowflake3934
kid, 10 years old
8
 
Good Book
It's a good book, but it drags on for the first 28 pages. Boy, age 10.
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