Allergic to the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, and Other Tourist Attractions

by Lenore Look, LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

Overview

Here’s the sixth book in the beloved and hilarious Alvin Ho chapter book series, which has been compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and is perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers.

Alvin, an Asian American second grader who’s afraid of everything, is taking his fears to a whole new level—or should we say, continent. On a trip to introduce brand-new baby Ho to relatives in China, Alvin’s anxiety is at fever pitch. First there’s the harrowing 16-hour plane ride; then there’s a whole slew of cultural differences to contend with: eating lunch food for breakfast, kung fu lessons, and acupuncture treatment (yikes!). Not to mention the crowds that make it easy for a small boy to get lost.

From Lenore Look and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a drop-dead-funny and touching series with a truly unforgettable character.

“Shares with Diary of a Wimpy Kid the humor that stems from trying to manipulate the world.” —Newsday
 
“Alvin’s a winner.” —New York Post

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780385369725
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	08/05/2014
Series:	Alvin Ho Series
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	560L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Lenore Look is the author of the popular Alvin Ho series, as well as the Ruby Lu series. She has also written several acclaimed picture books, including Henry’s First-Moon Birthday, Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding, and Brush of the Gods. Lenore lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.

LeUyen Pham is the illustrator of the Alvin Ho series, as well as The Best Birthday Party Ever by Jennifer LaRue Huget; Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio, a New York Times bestseller; and the Freckleface Strawberry series by Julianne Moore. She is the author and illustrator of the picture books Big Sister, Little Sister and All the Things I Love About You. LeUyen lives in San Francisco. Learn more at leuyenpham.com.

Editorial Reviews

Alvin Ho is wound so tight that every thought fills him with worry and fear. In the newest edition in the “Alvin Ho” series, Alvin and his family travel to China to visit relatives. From the very beginning, Alvin fears everything. As the story progresses he continues to form phobias such as coimetrophobia—fear of cemeteries (thankfully explained in the glossary at the end). These fears keep Alvin from enjoying his vacation, and many times they ruin sightseeing for his family as well. Alvin’s older brother Calvin, a history buff, often complains about missing important places: Alvin’s fear of dragons shortens their Great Wall visit; his fear of elevators means they must take the stairs; and a fear of toilets means a quick exit from the Forbidden City. By the end of the story, Alvin learns to cope with some of his fears and admit his mistakes. Simple black-and-white drawings appear in the margins throughout the story and help to show that Alvin’s feelings may be clouding his perception of reality. They are useful for the reader as Alvin’s imagination often runs wild. Though Alvin is a seven-year-old, his vocabulary and reactions seem like that of a much older child. This disparity between the character’s actual age and his actions makes Alvin unbelievable—more like an adult trying to think like a kid, which distances the reader from the story. Look does successfully incorporate many Chinese traditions and important cultural elements, but Alvin’s constant neurotic behavior is exhausting and keeps the reader from enjoying the interesting information. Reviewer: Paige King; Ages 6 to 10.

Children's Literature - Paige King

06/01/2014
Gr 2–4—Alvin Ho is back—this time on vacation with his family in China. Alvin isn't so sure about this trip. From the 16-hour plane ride to a fear of being squashed in a massive crowd of people, the boy must struggle with and overcome various anxieties. Told from the nervous protagonist's point of view, the story will have readers laughing at some of the bizarre circumstances Alvin gets himself into. Look spins a thread of Chinese culture throughout this lighthearted story, and readers are taken through famous historical sights. By the end, readers will walks away with a bit of knowledge of China and its culture. A delightful and engaging addition to this refreshingly multicultural chapter book series.—Diana Wireman, Russell-McDowell Intermediate School, Flatwoods, KY

School Library Journal

2014-04-30
Alvin Ho is at it again. Allergic to everything and all things girly, this 7-1/2-year-old worrywart hops a continent to visit relatives in Beijing. Is China ready for Alvin?The hilarious family vacation kicks off with an airport-security bang. Only Alvin can manage to set off alarms both on and off the plane, with his family of six in tow, including his baby sister (amusingly referred to in fish terms). Once in Beijing, Alvin meets his aunt Aiyi, uncle Jonathan (who looks "plain," not "Chinese at all"), and cousins Katie and Bean Sprout. The family zips off to such sights as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, where dragons, "Peeking" duck and an encounter with a pit toilet go hand in hand. Amid his navigation of culture shock, Alvin becomes consumed with guilt over his dad's lost passport and his rejection of an orphan's wish for a friend. The way Look channels this adorable fraidy-cat continues to delight in this sixth Alvin book. Her lightning-quick dialogue sets the ideal tone and pace for reluctant travelers. Rendered in ink, Pham's illustrations convey the family's emotions, from anxiety to bliss, with simple, lively expressions. And around all the mayhem, there lies a story full of heart as big as China, where friendships (even with a girl) reach far beyond great walls.Pack your bags and prepare to fly. (glossary) (Fiction. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews