Editor’s Note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Memorial Library in Houlton highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by the staff.
Book Three of “The Carver Chronicles” warns us: “Don’t Feed the Geckos!” Author Karen English weaves a complicated story of Carlos, his parents, his sister (Issy) Isabella and his cousin Bernardo. Intricate black and white drawings by Laura Freeman add interest with wonderfully drawn facial expressions.
Carlos almost wants to welcome this cousin, but is not pleased to learn he will lose his top bunk, and worries Bernardo will bother his pet geckos and disturb his ant farm. Carlos loves to study nature and has his heart set on getting a butterfly habitat providing he can get enough good scores on his spelling tests.
SO, here comes Bernardo- and does he ever know his sports and can play soccer even better! This leaves Carlos in a funk as he isn’t athletic, gets chosen last for any team and feels he is disappointing his Dad. Besides, Bernardo is just plain too interested in the three geckos.
Carlos discovers his cousin cannot read very well, does not try hard to write in his journal and then steals the last pieces of the class puzzle… what’s Carlos to do? Tell his parents? Rat out to his classmates? Alert the teacher?
But worst of all a live cricket gets away when someone overfeeds the geckos and it chirps loudly in the night! Not good!
During the confusion, troubles and concerns Carlos ponders his behavior and does remarkably well solving multiple problems at once.
Bernardo’s mom comes for him and everyone enjoys a welcoming party for her and goodbye party for Bernardo.
The story has many Spanish undertones and uses a few Spanish words, explaining some cultural differences.
Recommended for the Intermediate reader along with many volumes in the I Section of the upstairs Children’s Library at Cary.
The Cary Memorial Library is open Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
