Parents' Guide to

Malcolm Under the Stars

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Sweetness, positive messages galore in brave-rat sequel.

Book W.H. Beck Animals 2015
Malcolm Under the Stars Poster Image

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Malcolm and his multi-species friends return in a fun sequel with all the original's appeal and a bit less scariness. Author W.H. Beck's lively, vocabulary-drenched narrative (in the voice of Mr. Binney's fifth-graders) and Brian Lies' endearing illustrations make the characters relatable and appealing as they test boundaries and try to solve numerous mysteries, from finding the legendary treasure that might save their school to figuring out why Amelia is acting so strangely all of a sudden.

The story dishes out plenty of positive messages -- especially about the power of forgiveness and love -- but avoids getting preachy.

Book Details

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