Leon and the Champion Chip

Features

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Cover Type: Paperback with 368 pages
• Published by: HarperTrophy May 8, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0060539356
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0060539351
• Book Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 8 ounces

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6–Allen Kurzweil's comic sequel (Greenwillow, 2005) to Leon and the Spitting Image (Greenwillow, 2003) focuses on a fifth grade class fascinated by potato chips, and three friends trying to tame the class bully. Leon is still busy helping his mom at the all pets welcome hotel, and along with friends P.W. and Lily-Matisse, he's trying to turn a rag doll into a comic paranormal medium for controlling tough guy Henry Lumpkin. Despite Lumpkin's continuing harassment, potato chip collector Leon is excited when Mr. Sparks, the new science teacher, announces they'll be using Leon's favorite snack food as the basis for the year's curriculum. In order to earn money for his rag doll project, Leon enters an international potato chip competition where he wins second place using the scientific methods he's learned from Mr. Sparks. When parents protest about the constant potato chip lessons, Leon and his classmates successfully prove the value of snack food science. Narrator Matt Labyorteaux peppers the recording with Leon's perky enthusiasm and imbues the diverse cast of characters with distinct personalities. There's also an interview featuring the author and his son. The sound quality is good and the cover information is cleverly presented, but the cardboard case will need to be repackaged for circulation. An amusing additional purchase for elementary school and public libraries.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From AudioFile
Giving voice to characters as diverse as a New York cab driver, a notorious bully, an eccentric teacher, and a potato-chip-loving hero is no mean feat. Matt Labyorteaux performs each with verve and gusto. As Leon starts his fifth-grade year, he continues his efforts to outmatch Henry Lumpkin, utilizes potato chips in science class, and dazzles attendees of a potato chip convention. A zany Kurzweil cast of characters supports each move. Who knew there was so much potato chip trivia to master and that sometimes masterful teaching takes students way out of the box? Labyorteaux's distinctive characters and fast pace help deliver a story full of spunk and laugh-out-loud moments. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.