Malcolm Webster, (Aspiring) 5th Grade Whiz Kid by Dakota B. Klaes
(Juvenile Fiction / Humor, Adventure)
I’m always on the lookout for books that I think my son would enjoy reading. While I want to expose him to wide variety of genres, I know that keeping a child interested in reading doesn’t always mean throwing literary classics at them. Sometimes they just need to read something that they can relate to or have fun with. When I came across Malcolm Webster, (Aspiring) 5th Grade Whiz Kid, I knew I had found something my son would devour.
Author Dakota B. Klaes introduces us to Malcolm Webster, a science and food-loving fifth grader who hates homework and is trying to find a way to get out of completing his end of year paper. Malcolm’s teacher overhears him bragging to his friends about his plans, and in a fit of panic, Malcolm tells her he is going to be abducted by aliens. This claim leads Malcolm on a quest to make sure his excuse is a valid one! What follows is a wild adventure that includes alien kidnapping, plenty of snacks, attempted invasion, and a surprise twist that leads to cooperation between humans and the aliens.
Klaes certainly knows how to write an engaging narrative for both kids and adults! I giggled at many of the jokes, and the snarky commentary from Malcolm demonstrates just how intelligent he is for his age. The author expertly balances Malcolm’s book knowledge with an age-appropriate understanding of the world which keeps Malcolm relatable to the children reading the book while inviting adults to become invested in the story. What also stood out was Malcolm’s passion for food and strange snack combinations. This was an entertaining but not surprising addition to Klaes’s main character, as the author was a contestant on the 18th season of “Worst Cooks in America” on Food Network.
With witty banter and an engaging plotline, Malcolm Webster, (Aspiring) 5th Grade Whiz Kid is a charming book that will amuse readers of all ages.
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