Fourth-grader Calvin lives near the beach in Oahu with his mom and little sister. Mom says: “You’re the man of the house.” But Ca...
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Nov 24, 2008
Karlan
rated it: 
This book should be popular with primary grade children. Calvin has problems at school with a bully and problems at home where he must learn to be responsible. The author's light touch and the Hawaiian setting make the story especially entertaining.
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Jul 11, 2011
Kate
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A solid start to the series, but it does like Salisbury is working too hard as he juggles the introduction of characters, setting, and multiple plotlines. The troubles with which fourth grader Calvin must deal range from the comic (a kiteboarding incident, a centipede on the loose, a food fight) to the serious (his absent father, encounters with the sixth grade bully Tito, and the arrival of Stella, his mother's best friend's daughter, who comes to stay for a while and takes over Calvin's room)
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Oct 03, 2010
Jenny
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I was pleasantly surprised to find myself actually loving this book. This is an early chapter book, perfect for transitional readers in grades 2-4. Calvin Coconut can't seem to stay out of trouble, and yet it's never really his fault. He is a lovable 4th grade native Hawaiian who has to be the man of the house and that's not easy when a strange girl from Texas arrives to live with his family! According to some other reviews of this book that I have read, Stella-from-Texas doesn't speak much like
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Jan 10, 2010
Donna
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In this first book of a planned series, Graham Salisbury has created a fun and believable set of characters that represent a variety of ethnicities and offer insight into daily middle class life growing up on a Hawaiian island. The main character, Calvin struggles with the possibility that he should be the man of the house now that his father has abandoned the family to pursue his singing career. Younger readers will relate to the times when even Calvin’s best effort to be responsible seems to b
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Jun 28, 2011
Rebecca
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I read this because it's an Oregon Battle of the Books choice for next year, so my 9 yo son will read it. It's a stupid, ridiculous story! Calvin, the main character, is 9 years old and lives in Hawaii. His dad is a famous singer, changed the family's last name to Coconut and ran off to Vegas. Now they're poor and his mom works at Macy's. He is NINE and starting 4th grade. He has to walk his 6 year old sister home from school and forgets, but they don't admit it to mom. They stay home alone afte
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Jan 05, 2012
Jewelian
rated it: 
Author:Salisbury, Graham
1. It is about a boy named Calvin and a guy who won't stop pushing Calvin around until calvin told him he could meet a pretty girl named Stella.
2. Calvin is : Mischievous because he got in trouble with his teacher a lot.
3. I think the most important event was when Stella arrived and everybody would not stop looking at her especially Calvin Coconut.
4. I recommend this book to people who like the b More...
1. It is about a boy named Calvin and a guy who won't stop pushing Calvin around until calvin told him he could meet a pretty girl named Stella.
2. Calvin is : Mischievous because he got in trouble with his teacher a lot.
3. I think the most important event was when Stella arrived and everybody would not stop looking at her especially Calvin Coconut.
4. I recommend this book to people who like the b More...
Nov 12, 2009
Connie
rated it:
This is not a book I would have picked up were it not on the Texas Bluebonnet Elementary Reading list for 2010-2011. I found it to be a cute story that both boys and girls grades 2 to 4 would like. Fast reading. Cute illustrations. Not a very believable Texas teenage girl character comes to live with Calvin in his home in Hawaii. She's believable as a moody teen. Just not believable as a Texas teen based upon her dialogue. (Has this author even been to Texas or met a Texan?) I liked the
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Jun 06, 2009
Scope
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It seems like every other book that’s published these days has a #1 slapped on the spine. I can understand why. Series books allow readers to get comfortable with characters and form a connection that can last over the course of a lot of reading. They’re also the ultimate “what do I read next” solution:
Young Reader: What should I read next?
Me: Well, you read and enjoyed the first outing of Horrible Harry, correct? Might I humbly suggest that you will likely find the secon More...
Young Reader: What should I read next?
Me: Well, you read and enjoyed the first outing of Horrible Harry, correct? Might I humbly suggest that you will likely find the secon More...
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Jul 18, 2011
Collette
rated it:
Though not my type of fiction in general, I can see how this is HUGELY popular with reluctant readers and especially with boys of all ages. Calvin is just always into trouble, but even when you KNOW he shouldn't be doing something, you can't help but route for him and hope it all turns out okay. An awesome series for any boy in elementary school, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it as a birthday or Christmas present for boys who don't think they like reading. It's like Jack Gantos's "J
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Nov 06, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
2010-2011 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
This is a charming early chapter book that both boys and girls will latch onto. Salisbury's kidspeak and adultspeak are both perfect. I only had trouble with Stella-from-Texas. Her accent and manner of speech reminded me of a cranky, modern day Scarlett O'Hara. I'm not a native Texan but I do live in Texas and work in a library where I hear teenagers talk every day. It just didn't ring true for me.
The ending seemed a little abrupt, More...
This is a charming early chapter book that both boys and girls will latch onto. Salisbury's kidspeak and adultspeak are both perfect. I only had trouble with Stella-from-Texas. Her accent and manner of speech reminded me of a cranky, modern day Scarlett O'Hara. I'm not a native Texan but I do live in Texas and work in a library where I hear teenagers talk every day. It just didn't ring true for me.
The ending seemed a little abrupt, More...
May 02, 2009
The Library Lady
rated it:
This is NOT a "primary grade" or "early reader"--the kid here is in 4th grade and MY 4th grader wouldn't consider herself to be a little kid.
It IS easy to read and will have tremendous boy appeal. There's a lot of things about living in Hawaii--REAL Hawaii, not tourist Hawaii--that kids will find out here and they will be looking forward to finding out what happens next. Which is my one complaint with the box--it ends very abruptly, just torturing the kids who'll be wai More...
It IS easy to read and will have tremendous boy appeal. There's a lot of things about living in Hawaii--REAL Hawaii, not tourist Hawaii--that kids will find out here and they will be looking forward to finding out what happens next. Which is my one complaint with the box--it ends very abruptly, just torturing the kids who'll be wai More...
Jan 17, 2010
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
Calvin is Henry Huggins. Calvin is Tom Sawyer. Calvin is the all-American boy we’ve come to know and love. In trouble most of the time, but somehow it’s not really his fault.
So we know this character, but do we? Calvin lives in Hawaii. His dad is a pop singer who hit it big and left the family for the mainland. One of Calvin’s new friends has just come to Hawaii and is having difficulty fitting in because he is white.
I like it. And it is my first official 2010-2011 Blue More...
So we know this character, but do we? Calvin lives in Hawaii. His dad is a pop singer who hit it big and left the family for the mainland. One of Calvin’s new friends has just come to Hawaii and is having difficulty fitting in because he is white.
I like it. And it is my first official 2010-2011 Blue More...
Jul 08, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet is the first in a new series by Graham Salisbury. Trouble always seems to find Calvin even when he's doing his best to avoid it. At home he has to give up his room to a girl from Texas. At school he's got a couple of bullies to avoid. To make matters worse, one of the bullies has a crush on the girl from Texas!
The Calvin Coconut books are set on the island of Oahu. As Graham Salisbury explains on the series website, he has set the books in his old eleme More...
The Calvin Coconut books are set on the island of Oahu. As Graham Salisbury explains on the series website, he has set the books in his old eleme More...
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Jul 29, 2010
Yoonmee
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This is a fun, charming story about a 4th grade boy named Calvin Coconut who lives in Hawaii and can't seem to keep himself out of trouble. It's definitely set up as an introduction to the series because the plot line basically felt like an excuse to introduce the reader to the characters and to life in Hawaii in general. I'm looking forward to reading more of Calvin Coconut's amusing capers in the future.
I would recommend this to 3rd-5th graders, maybe even some 2nd graders becaus More...
I would recommend this to 3rd-5th graders, maybe even some 2nd graders becaus More...
Sep 29, 2009
H
rated it:
A pretty harmless late 3rd grade into 4th grade read about a boy who lives in Hawaii with his mom and little sister. Because his father (Little Johnny Coconut) is chasing fame in Las Vegas, Calvin is the man of the house at 9, even though his mom has a boyfriend. Liked the way the book casually reflects the multicultural stewpot that is Hawaii. Pretty nicely done without being too preachy or over-obvious about it. Reminds me most of "Clementine" by Sara Pennypacker in its tone, thou
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Nov 14, 2009
Ramarie
rated it:
Calvin is an active boy with many friends and a change on the horizon, as a young teenager named Stella comes to live with him, his little sister and single mom. Set in Hawaii, there are multiple events going on in this book, but not enough to overwhelm it. Calvin has a very diverse group of friends and I agree with what others have said about the dialogue for Stella, but she was a minor enough character that it didn't bother me. The author leaves many plot lines to develop further in the ser
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Jul 21, 2009
oplkids
rated it:
Calvin Coconut can't seem to stay out of trouble. Now that he's in 4th grade, his mom expects him to take over some household responsibilities and be "the man of the house". But when his mom asks him to walk his little sister home from school - what happens? He forgets her! His own little sister! Will Calvin learn how to stay out of trouble?
If you would like to read a humorous book about a mischievous boy growing up on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, this is for you.
If you would like to read a humorous book about a mischievous boy growing up on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, this is for you.
Dec 02, 2010
Barb
rated it:
Calvin is a regular kid, with usual kid toubles. His dad, Little Johnny Coconut, long ago headed out to the mainland to be a minor pop star, leaving Calvin, his little sister Darci, and their mom behind in Hawaii. Teen-age Stella, who is all attitude, is now living with the Cocunut family. And bullies at school keep Calvin and his friends on their toes. Nice down-to-earth portrayal of modern life in Hawaii, with very likeable characters--an upbeat, fast read.
Aug 23, 2010
Abbie
rated it:
Calvin Coconut really is a trouble magnet. He's trying to be the man of the house, but centipede's and bullies and bossy teenagers keep getting in the way! Maybe his new teacher, a former soldier, can straighten him out.
This is a cute little book and a good series beginning. Don't expect much resolution, though, because this is mostly about introducing the characters. This would be good for younger readers, grades 4-6, especially boys. It's a fun read. Salisbury always does a g More...
This is a cute little book and a good series beginning. Don't expect much resolution, though, because this is mostly about introducing the characters. This would be good for younger readers, grades 4-6, especially boys. It's a fun read. Salisbury always does a g More...
Feb 03, 2010
Richelle
rated it:
What a cute book! Calvin Coconut lives in Hawaii with his mom and younger sister (his father left when he was 5 to become a semi-famous singer in Las Vegas). No matter how hard he tries, Calvin can never manage to stay out of trouble. As a typical 5th grade boy, Calvin is forgetful, clumsy, and tactless - without meaning to be. He has a heart of gold, which makes this book a joyful read. I can't wait to purchase the follow-up book for my library!
Oct 08, 2010
Kathryn
rated it:
I've seen a common theme with this year's Bluebonnet Books: Hawaii and the ocean. In this fun realistic fiction book, Calvin is being forced to move out into the storage room to make room for a girl from Texas. It's the beginning of his 4th grade year and things just aren't going well for him because a bully named Tito keeps threatening him. I think this book is great for all kids 3rd-6th grade!
Sep 30, 2011
Robert
rated it:
Graham Salisbury, Trouble Magnet (Wendy Lamb Books, 2009)
Salisbury kicks off his Hawaii-set series featuring pre-teen Calvin Coconut with Trouble Magnet, a cute book that introduces the characters and some basics of Hawaiian life to younger readers. I think he may underestimate the knowledge of mainlanders sometimes (is there a kid who's been to a county fair anywhere in the country who doesn't know what shave ice is?), but readers will get “ooh, gross!” kicks out of Calvin's out-of- More...
Salisbury kicks off his Hawaii-set series featuring pre-teen Calvin Coconut with Trouble Magnet, a cute book that introduces the characters and some basics of Hawaiian life to younger readers. I think he may underestimate the knowledge of mainlanders sometimes (is there a kid who's been to a county fair anywhere in the country who doesn't know what shave ice is?), but readers will get “ooh, gross!” kicks out of Calvin's out-of- More...
Sep 23, 2010
Mariah
rated it: 
Cute, easy read w/illustrations and humor that remind me of Alvin Ho, only not as naturally hilarious. Insight into Hawaiian life is cool, but is it authentic? I don't know, but the character from Texas says "Darlin" in her first sentence, which is nauseatingly cliche for me, since I'm a Texan. Since it is hard to identify with the Texan in the story, I find myself a bit biased.
Aug 16, 2011
Michael
rated it:
This book is low on plot and character development, but provides some humorous events as it follows a 9 year old boy preparing for a new school year. Calvin seems to encounter one problem after another in this fictional narrative. At a third grade reading level, this book could be enjoyed by some boys who can't seem to stay out of trouble.
Jul 06, 2010
Angie
rated it:
I don't think Calvin is going to become my new all time favorite character but this book is still funny. The first paragraph starts out "Maybe you know the feeling of how junk it is when summer ends. The good times are over. You start thinking about school, homework. Getting up early again. And there's nothing you can do about it."
Nov 14, 2009
Megan
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My students and I just had this read to us by a volunteer reader from the Read Aloud America Program. It's great! It's even set at Kailua Elementary, where I did all of my student teaching. It's fully of local, Hawai'i references which my students loved, but I think it would be accessible for Mainland folks too.
Sep 21, 2010
Joel
rated it:
It's about the dad of kid named Calvin coconut changes his name from Novio to Coconut . Calvin forgot to pick up her little sister so he gets in trouble . I would recommend this book to kids that are trouble masquers . this book is realistic because it could happen but it's not real .
Feb 20, 2011
Debra
rated it:
Decent beginning chapter book. It was more sophisticated writing than A-Z mysteries or Dadey's Bailey School series. Fifth graders could read this without feeling it was babyish. The book seemed to end as if it was the end of a chapter or serial television waiting for the next show.
Jan 19, 2011
Laura
rated it:
An entertaining read for the school-age set. Calvin is a typical kid with a typical family - separated parents, a little sister, and a mom with a boyfriend. Upon entering 4th grade, he tangles with the local bully, accidentally starts a food fight, and has to relinquish his room to a long-term visitor.
Apr 19, 2011
Brett
rated it:
First in a fun series for younger readers, especially boys. Calvin Coconut starts fourth grade in what promises to be a year of change & adventure, with a new live-in babysitter, a fun ex-army teacher, some good friends, & a couple of bullies after him, not to mention the trouble that seems to follow him everywhere. Great illustrations, & a feel for the local dialect in Hawaii.
