Martin Bridge: In High Gear! - Softcover

Jessica Scott Kerrin is the author of the bestselling Martin Bridge series, inspired by the misadventures of her husband and son. Her first novel, Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! was named an ALA Notable Children's Book and placed on the Horn Book Fanfare List. Kerrin grew up on the Canadian prairies, but now lives with her family and pet tortoise in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Grade 2–4—Martin Bridge is back in an easy chapter book with two stories. In "Science Fair," he and his group struggle to complete their "saving our planet" project as they deal with a new member who relies on luck and finagles his way out of work. In the end, the slacker's name is drawn for the prize for hard work, but his teammates get an A++ for their efforts. In "Bicycle," Martin gets a longed-for new bike, only to have it stolen the first time he rides it. His parents are unable to afford another one, but Aunt Laverne suggests he try Bicycle Recycle, a shop that takes usable parts from old bikes to build new ones. Martin agrees to work at the shop in return for a recycled bike. This story is stronger and more engaging than the first. Appealing black-and-white illustrations of the children and their actions and interactions appear on most pages; those in the second story show pictures of different bicycles and bicycle repair that hold readers' attention. The tips that follow for keeping bikes safe are useful as well as interesting.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA
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