Breakout at the Bug Lab

by Ruth Horowitz, Joan Holub (Illustrator)

Max, a Madagascar cockroach, is as big as a bite-sized candy bar and hisses like a snake when he is mad. Leo and his brother are fascinated. Out of all of the bugs in their mother's bug lab, Max is definitely the best. But now, Max is on the loose in the lab! To make matters worse, there's a party there today. Leo and his brother have to find Max before he makes people scream-or worse.

"A book in which everything is just right." (School Library Journal)

Genres: Childrens, Science, Humor

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

I have worked as a librarian in a Catholic girls’ high school, raised two children, run for public office, taught Torah at a Hebrew school and served the causes of truth and grammar as a contributing editor at Vermont’s alternative weekly newspaper, Seven Days. I grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, and also spent part of my childhood in Paris. Since then I’ve lived in Los Angeles and Burlington, Vermont. I now live with my husband and write full time in Rhode Island. I recently completed a novel for adults.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My self-contained SpEd class is studying insects, so I thought they might enjoy this. I gave them a choice between cockroaches and flies. They chose flies, so I'm not sure what their reaction/rating of this would be.
It's a fun little story of a giant hissing cockroach that gets loose and how two brothers re-capture it without ruining the big party for the science lab that has been planned.
(Beginning reader, level 3)

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting pace already fast with ongoing event and then trouble!

[Libby Burak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This chapter book is a good chapter book for younger readers, it has lots of good drawing and is about bugs!

[Aleece · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a ceremony to rename the science building and Sam and Leo are told not to cause any trouble but Max, the hissing cockroach escapes and it is up to them to find him before people scream and Max is seen by the TV crew. They find him on the upside down on the ceiling and are trying to get down when One-Shot Lil offers to help. It turns out that she is Ruby L. Gold the person the building is being renamed after.

This was a cute story about people that love bugs and some crazy things that can happen along the way.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer is upon it and with it is summer reading. My 7 year old grandson just read this.
I like that the boy's mom was a scientist and that it explained the importance of doing research to help the environment. It was also funny and had surprises.
Breakout goes a step farther than just being an easy reader for younger students.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up while looking for humorous early chapter books for first grader, whose reading level is Wimpy Kid, but whose reading comprehension tests at first grade or a bit above, and who loves science and bug books. He didn't choose to read it to himself, but we did read it as a bedtime book and he enjoyed it. A fun little read.

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a fun book for young readers. Fun, exciting, ture bug facts, and the children in the book are well behaved which is a requirenment I have for books if my sons are going to read them. My 6yr. son really enjoyed reading this book.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

RL 260

[Rachel Flan · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute! It would be a good book to use when the kids are learning about bugs

[Amber Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this one so many stars because Trenton said he loved it the best of all the books we read yesterday. I guess he's wanting things a little more advanced...I just enjoy hearing him laugh!

[Pam]

On-My-Own

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was weird because when the children met Ruby L Gold I didn't know who she even was! I was surprised to learn that One-shot Lil was really her nickname.

[Lupine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young patron told me about this and giggled the entire time. Bugs, women scientists and an escaped cockroach all for the beginning reader. What's not to love?

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly complex beginning reader. Nice that their mom is the scientist!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

AR Quiz No. 49400 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.5 - AR Pts: 0.5

[Janine Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

spring booklegger program K/1