Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Story of friendship and filmmaking has humor and real depth.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
A filmmaking class is the last place Marcus wants to be in MARCUS MAKES A MOVIE, preferring to play video games with his best friend or draw his Toothpick comics in his room. But his dad says he needs to choose an afterschool program, so even after he sees the class is full of people he hasn't gotten along with in the past, Marcus tries to participate -- kind of. His fiery response to the class puts him on the outside until he gets inspired to partner with Sierra, who's making her own film. Marcus learns that making a movie is more than just an idea and a camera, and about how important it is to have a team of friends on your side.
Is It Any Good?
Author Kevin Hart has turned a simple book about an impetuous kid learning how to make a film into a deep, sincere story of friendship, perseverance, and complex emotions. Marcus Makes a Movie shows readers that working with others can be difficult but immensely rewarding, and the mention of his mom reveals that people's lives are more than just what's visible to the outside world. The lessons about what it takes to write a screenplay and the amount of focus, work, and drive it takes to complete a project will help young readers realize that success doesn't happen overnight, and that some good can come out of moments when everything seems to be going wrong. This funny, kindhearted triumph celebrates friendship and how dreams can come true in unexpected ways.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how quickly Marcus gets defensive in Marcus Makes a Movie. How do you react when you're insecure or feeling on edge?
What do you think of Marcus' decision about filming the scene in the hospital? What would you have done in his situation?
Do you have any friendships that remind you of Marcus and Sierra's? What would make a friendship like this stand out?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : David Cooper
- Genre : Emotions
- Topics : STEM , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Crown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : June 1, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 208
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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