Penguin Problems

The Life of Ty #1

by Lauren Myracle, Jed Henry (Illustrator)

A brand-new illustrated chapter book series by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle!
 
Winnie Perry’s sweet baby brother, Ty, is the quintessential dreamer, full of big ideas and wacky plans that only a seven-year-old boy could hatch. Whether it’s battling the family cat with a Dustbuster or smuggling a baby penguin out of the aquarium, Ty is always in the middle of a well-intended, big-hearted scheme.
 
In the spirit of the Judy Moody spinoff Stink series, Ty will work his way into the hearts and funny bones of a whole new generation of Myracle fans.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Humor, Middle Grade, Family, Childrens, 2nd Grade, Chapter Books

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2013

About the author

Lauren Myracle is the author of numerous young adult novels. She was born in 1969 in North Carolina. Lauren Myracle holds an MA in English from Colorado State University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. she has written many novels, including the famous IM books, ttyl, ttfn, and l8r, g8r.

Her first novel, Kissing Kate, was selected as one of ALA's "Best Books for Young Adults" for the year 2004. It was named by Booklist as one of the "Top Ten Youth Romances" of the year, as well as one of the "Top Ten Books by New Writers." Her middle-grade novel, Eleven, came out 2004, followed by its YA sequels (Twelve, Thirteen, Thirteen Plus One) .

Reviews

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is full of changes for seven-year-old Ty, and he’s not happy about it. His mom is exhausted taking care of his new baby sister, his best friend is in the hospital, and now his big sister Sandra is driving him to school. Sandra won’t even walk him into 2nd grade; in fact, she shoves him out of the car! In this series spinoff, Myracle returns again to this engaging Perry family from her Winnie Years series (Eleven, Penguin, 2004, etc.), bringing her ear for sibling relationships and family dynamics, this time for readers moving up to chapter books. Young readers will connect with Ty’s struggles at school navigating friendship troubles and at home getting enough attention from his mom. “Hug?” I say in a smallish way. Mom doesn’t want to. She doesn’t want to hug her own son. I can see it on her face.” (p. 40) Funny situations alternate with poignant moments in just the right balance, as Myracle writes perceptively from seven-year-old Ty’s perspective. On a field trip to the aquarium, Ty wanders away from his class and decides to give a baby penguin some special attention, bringing him home in his backpack. Early chapter-book readers may become confused that the penguin problems from the title don’t surface until the second half of the story. Henry’s occasional line drawings match the tone and humor well. A heartwarming start to a new series.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Ty is so very real and so intensely lovable in his vulnerability, sweetness, and wildness, too. He reminded me a LOT of my own older son, which made parts of this book even more poignant for me to read. (And when I then started reading the book to my son, he said he thought he and Ty would DEFINITELY be friends.)

The interactions between him and the other kids rang so, so true (sometimes painfully true, from the perspective of a parent); so did the dynamic between him and his parents, which has been seriously (although not irreparably) disrupted by the arrival of a new baby sister. Ty wants to love his little sister, and he does - but suddenly his mom doesn't seem to love him anymore (although clearly, an adult reader can tell, she does - she's just running on 3 hours' sleep a night, and she's overwhelmed - something that, again, was almost TOO close to home for me to read about right now!).

I loved, loved, loved Ty, and I can't wait to read more of his adventures.

[Elissa Schaeffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to like Ty, and for the most part I did, but there were some things that I couldn't get past.

Seven-year-old Ty is faced with some big changes, most notably with his mom and his new baby sister. His new sister takes up so much of his mom's time and energy that she hardly has any left for Ty! In fact, his oldest sister Sandra drives him to school now and she won't even walk him to the school, she stays in the car instead. Things just aren't like they used to be, and it's hard.

I liked the family dynamics, I liked what Ty had to face and how the whole family was a part of it. I really had a hard time with his visit to the aquarium. Without getting into it for spoiler reasons, I'll just say "Really? NO ONE noticed that???? And then...consequences? Nothing?" Unfortunately that was enough to color my view of the entire book. I'm willing to give the second one a try, as there's lots of potential here so I'm hopeful.

I would recommend this to fans of Stink and similar "midway" books. Grades 2 and up.

[DaNae · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most ungenuine children in a didactic slog.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Part of a series, author of Upside Down Magic series
Note: Add a slide with The Winnie Years books on it.
This book is about the adventures of a boy named Ty Perry. He has two older sisters, and one brand-new one, Baby Maggie.

When Baby Maggie came, a lot changed in the Perry household. Ty is determined to be as helpful as he can. Except sometimes it’s hard. Especially when Mom and Dad don’t seem to have enough time for you.

School is pretty OK, as long as Ty’s best friend Lexie isn’t flinging rubber bands and being mean or bossy. Sometimes she isn’t a very good listener though, and just does what she wants no matter how anyone else feels and it makes Ty uncomfortable.

Life can be hard for a kid, so when the opportunity to take a baby penguin home from the aquarium presents itself, it’s really hard for Ty to say no.

PS. You might recognize Ty’s older sister Winnie from The Winnie Years books (10, 11, 12, 13 and 13 plus one).

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute story with tons of spunky voice. Ty is a seven year old in a family of four kids, and feels left out now that there's a baby in his family. At his class field trip, he abducts a baby penguin (that doesn't happen til WAY into the story). I loved how all the plot points came full circle (the pacifiers, the sisters being mean to him). There is some potty humor, meanness from Ty owing to being jealous of the baby, and one instance where an older sister says "god" (gasp!) which our very swearing-sensitive demographic may not be fans of. Overall very real-feeling family dynamics and such a funny voice from Ty that I enjoyed it a lot, and think kids would, too.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick early chapter book. Fun story about Ty, who's mother just had a baby and now she doesn't have as much time for him as she used to. There is a bully in the class as well as a few students who act out. Ty is often getting into trouble, but not on purpose, his plan sound good to him, they just need a little more thought. Ty is your average second grader in a typical classroom that many readers can relate to.

[Jsmith42harding.Edu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life of Ty is about a young boy who deals with a lot of struggles other kids his age may not have to experience, such as his best friend having leukemia. on a trip to the aquarium, Ty wonders of and finds himself with a baby penguin that he decides to keep not knowing what he was doing. this is a fun chapter book for ages 6-9.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Ty better than Stink or Roscoe Riley because he is more thoughtful. Great book for classroom library, but maybe not for book club because of the potty talk...

[Tayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

About a 7 yr old second grader who is struggling with a new baby at home and doesn't like the shift in attention.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Alyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm conflicted about this one. See http://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/2016... for details!

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ty is seven years old, a second grader, and the only boy in his family. His older sisters (one of whom is Winnie from Myracle’s middle grade series The Winnie Years) are busy teenagers, and his baby sister, called Teensy Baby Maggie, takes up all of his mother’s time and energy, leaving Ty feeling left out and misunderstood. His best friend is also in the hospital with leukemia, so he’s working on finding other kids to hang out with, like Lexie, even though she can sometimes be mean and bossy. When he goes on a field trip, Ty doesn’t exactly mean to steal a penguin and bring it home with him, but when he does, he finds himself with a big problem - how can he bring the penguin back home safely without upsetting his already over-tired mom?

I had trouble getting into Lauren Myracle’s latest YA book, but I was pleased to find that the opposite was true of this, her first foray into chapter books. In fact, though I have enjoyed lots of her other books, I think this one might be my favorite.

The writing in this book feels very fresh. Each member of Ty’s family has a distinct personality, and the interactions among the siblings, and between Ty and his mother, feel very current, as though they could take place in almost any child’s home tonight at dinner. Ty’s reasoning, dialogue, and interests are all very true to the emotional maturity and developmental level of kids his age, and his thoughts about his baby sister, in particular, are true to what many kids experience when new siblings come along. Not much happens in the overall plot until the field trip near the end of the book, but the normal everyday conflicts of family life are enough to keep the reader interested and moving forward through the story. I do wish there had been more in the book about Ty’s friend’s leukemia, but I’m crossing my fingers that this situation will get its own story at a future point in the series.

This first book about Ty reminds me of one of my favorite chapter book series, Stella Batts. Both have a strong focus on family life, believable conflicts between siblings, and issues surrounding the arrivals of brand-new babies. While the Stella Batts books all have very girly-looking covers, this book is more neutral, and is more likely to be picked up by boys or girls. Penguin Problems will also appeal to kids who have gotten into the Ellray Jakes books and Jasper John Dooley books, which are also about early elementary school boys and their daily troubles and triumphs.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ty is seven years old and has a pretty complicated life. He has a new baby sister who is taking all of his mom’s time and attention. His older sisters won’t walk him into school like his mom used to, insisting that he can do it all on his own. His best friend is in the hospital battling cancer, and Ty’s other friends can be confusing and even alarming. Ty keeps getting into trouble at home for things like chasing the cat with a Dustbuster. Then on the school trip to the aquarium, Ty takes a baby penguin home with him. This is one wild boy who is also big hearted and caring, just not sure how best to show it.

Myracle, who writes teen books primarily, has created a truly exceptional book for younger readers. Ty is a character who is easily relatable, even when he does some extremely unusual things, like stealing a penguin. His home life will be familiar to many children, who will have older siblings and babies in their families too. Add to that the universal feelings of being asked to do big-kid things too early and also being treated like a baby, and you get a book that is universally appealing.

Myracle’s writing has an outstanding humor throughout. In the more dramatic moments, children will understand that things will be alright in the end. The black and white illustrations by Henry convey that humor and lightness as well.

Perfect for both reading aloud and for a child reading on their own, this book will be enjoyed by fans of the Stink series as well as those who like Clementine. This book would pair well with The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes. Appropriate for ages 5-7.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Sometimes easier chapter books written for this age group (2nd/3rd graders) are annoying (Junie B. Jones) or just so generic that they don't stand out. This one, though, was cute, funny, and featured a likable and realistic 2nd grade boy. He's a good kid, but he still has moments when he gets in trouble with his parents and teacher. All of the characters are realistically written - from Ty's classmate who can't stay on task, to the (mostly) patient teacher, to the harried mom of four including a newborn. In this story, Ty is jealous of the time his mom spends with "Teensy Baby Maggie." He also struggles with his friends at school. His best friend is in the hospital with leukemia, so he spends a lot of time with a girl who is a bit of a troublemaker. These two things lead him to make a bad decision while on a field trip to the aquarium, hence the subtitle. While most of the story is realistic, this part, as well as the resolution, seem a bit far-fetched, but young kids won't mind. Older readers (and I doubt there will be many) and adults will wonder how his older sisters resolved the "penguin problem", but kids will probably just take it on faith that it was resolved without getting Ty into trouble. This is a good book for boys and girls just getting into chapter books, especially those who like the Junie B. Jones, Stink, and Clementine books.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the end of this book I was convinced Ty might be a real person who reacted realistically to situations and surroundings, displaying the appropriate frustration and accompanying inappropriate responses to feeling ignored at home due to a new baby in the house and to ruffians and rough social dynamics at school.

At the beginning of the book, though, well, let me share a quote from Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane :

I was a normal child. Which is to say, I was selfish and I was not entirely convinced of the existence of things that were not me, and I was certain, rock-solid unshakably certain, that I was the most important thing in creation. There was nothing that was more important to me than I was.

I found that dynamic too utterly lacking in Ty and had trouble believing any seven-year-old could be so sweet, aware, and altruistically natured. And I wonder if that might keep young readers from being able to relate to him as narrator and protagonist.

Aside from my perhaps cynical quibble that Ty is just a bit too good to be true, though, I think this is a fun book that young readers will enjoy.

[YA Reads Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on www.yareads.com, reviewed by Nichole.

The Life of Ty: Penguin Problems was so gosh darn cute! Penguin must have sensed my need for an awesome children's book. This is a really quick read, and I have to stress that it is meant for children. It's a little lower than a middle grade book. It's more of a children's book, probably for younger elementary students.

The illustrations in The Life of Ty were well done. They fit in perfectly with the story and kept me entertained. I can see this book being a definite hit for younger kids. Heck, it was a big hit for me, and I'm well over the age range for this book!

I loved reading a children's book focused on a boy. When I was growing up, there were a lot of books featuring girls, and it's a nice change to see. Boys and girls alike are going to love this book, but boys especially are going to get a thrill following Ty and his silly adventures. There's even this cute little plot featuring a penguin! And honestly...who doesn't love penguins?

Parents...librarians....add this book to your collection! It's going to be a big hit with your little ones, and you will not regret it!

[margothere · Rating 2 out of 5]

Penguin Problems is a story about a seven year old named Ty. His life has been changed by a baby sister, and Ty is figuring it all out. This book must be written with the advanced but young reader in mind. It is realistic fiction, but, despite his best friend fighting leukemia (just touched on), the book is very clean and safe, with Ty going through adjustments relatable to most kids. Personally, I go back and forth between it's a nice safe book and it's just too clean, too perfect. And, it's definitely a series book, not very satisfying on it's own, kids will want to know more. There are definitely higher level 1st grade readers I would recommend it to as well as 2nd graders and some third graders. But there are a lot of kids I would not suggest it to because it's "safe" is not as relatable. It would be a good read aloud for first grade, with opportunities for discussion about relationships, school, and where "realistic" drops out of the book… read it, you'll see. The illustrations are a nice occasional break from the text. It's ending feels abrupt, although the intention is understood. Not a favorite read, but it certainly will be "the right book" for some kids.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ty is a seven year old boy who now has to deal with not being the baby anymore. He has two older sisters and now a baby sister to deal with,so he feels neglected. I am not familiar with the authors other series of books, in which Ty is the younger brother to her main character. I am also a bit confused as to exactly HOW a seven year old child could get into the behind areas of an aquarium exhibit (yes, there were private tours) without being seen set alone get to the penguins and take one home. I also was dismayed at the use of a word, while not a curse word, that to me while appropriate to the character, was not appropriate for the beginner chapter reader. His oldest sister says, "God......." I am no a prude, and I use this turn of phrase myself, but I felt that a book targeted to 7 year old children, it was not a good choice.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lol, Ty. This was a great, sweet little story that I'd give to a 3rd grade boy in a heartbeat. There were a few references in here that I think would make more sense to someone who had read the Winnie books first, even though they're not at all the same audience, but overall the story was pretty self-contained. When I read the first Winnie book, I seriously felt as if Lauren Myracle had crawled into the mind of an eleven-year-old girl, and now I feel as if she's crawled into the mind of a seven-year old boy. How does she do it?!

Parents who are actually both alive and good people!

Boys having emotions and working through them!

A kind of bullying friend that I can see being dealt with in future stories!

Actions with (some) consequences! (this was probably the weakest)

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a few problems with the book The Life of Ty: Penguin Problems. I really wanted to like it because I agree there needs to be more books for younger boys. But, I felt Ty and his classmates acted extremely babyish for being 2nd graders (I have a 2nd grader and I teach this grade as librarian). My other problem is a spoiler...

***Spoiler***
The other problem I had with this book is that I felt Ty didn't learn his lesson at the end. His sisters decide to not stress mom out any more and sneak the baby penguin back to the aquarium. What??? There is no mention of how that decision went, so I was left feeling the book was not complete/finished.

Like I said, I really wanted to like this book, but I found too many problems with it. I may have to try it on a real critic, my 2nd grader...

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ty has problems. He is not the center of attention in his family anymore. Baby Meggie is taking all of mom's time and Ty is feeling left out. Life at school isn't any better. His best friend is in the hospital with cancer and he has to hang out with other kids. Ty wanders off on a field trip and ends up taking a baby penguin home from the aquarium. His older sister come to the rescue and mom agrees to spend more time with him. There needs to be more beginning chapter books for boys, but I am not sure this is the best one. I didn't find Ty all that likeable or realistic. I did think the home life problems with the new baby were pretty typical though. The penguin was just silly and crazy. Kids might enjoy this one but it definitely wasn't one of my favorites.

[Kim Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ty is going through a rough phase in life. A new baby has arrived and his mom is focused on his new sister. Now his older sister takes him to school in the mornings (-nod doesn't even walk him into the building) and his mom can't chaperone the class field trips anymore. During the field trip to the aquarium, Ty's emotions get come bubbling up and he wanders away from his class into the behind the scenes area where he meets a baby penguin.

This was an okay book and I really liked Ty, but I don't really know who it is written for. I also felt the penguin part was a little rushed and there is no explanation of how that situation was truly resolved. I mean, how do you waltz into an aquarium with a stolen penguin and not have everyone calling the police.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has been little bit of laughing along with Taylor. Meanwhile, with Ty parents and teacher (mostly on Mrs. Webber) are going to respect for following on rules, especially with Ty. Then with penguins, they wish bring one to Ty house without any troubling, instead they have been in big trouble! Penguins are some wild animal are living in aquarium, Kids are touring with teachers.

It was think, more wider about baby penguin (Pingy) in this book. However, when I was reading all of chapters, there is more with Ty and his friends then penguin baby! Before I was starting to reading, I was think in middle of chapters it all about penguin story. Even so, it was end of chapters about penguins baby.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ty isn't feeling quite like himself. He's mad and lonely because his mom isn't paying enough attention to him (there's a new baby in the family that takes up lots of her time), his best friend is in the hospital and the other kids at school aren't that much fun to play with, and he is stuck between wanting to stay little and wanting to grow up. At the class field trip to the aquarium, he does something out of character--wanders away from the group and kidnaps a penguin! How will he get out of this mess?! Ty is a realistic character that kids in 1st and 2nd grade will relate to, especially those with baby siblings. This is the first in a series that is sure to become a favorite.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, fun read about 7-year old Ty who is trying to cope with a new addition to the family, Maggie, who is taking up most of his mom's time. The family dynamics were great and I think many children would relate to the emotions Ty feels throughout. While the part at the aquarium seemed a bit far fetched, in a way k could see kids enjoying that idea as a fun, rascally thing for Ty to do. Sometimes 2nd graders don't realize something is a bad idea until afterwards. Ty reminded me of Ramona a bit, or Clementine, he tries so hard to be good, but sometimes it's hard to control yourself when you're little. Would buy this for sure and I think 1st or 2nd graders would love it.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I luuuuuuved the Winnie books, so was really excited for this one, about Winnie's little brother. It was cute, but not at the same caliber. Ty is stuck in the middle now that "Teensy Baby Maggie" has come along. And being in the middle is not a fun place to be. His big sisters have their own lives, and his mom is so busy with the baby that she doesn't have much time to pay any attention to Ty. When he acts out to get attention, then he gets in trouble. Realistic and funny, this is a great slice of life from a 7-year-old boy's POV.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably this should be 3.5, but I'm going up rather than down. I just love this whole family. Ty is a sweet boy who has two older and a new baby sister. Since the new baby came along, it hasn't been easy for him. His mother's time is consumed with the new baby, leaving Ty feeling abandoned. To add to his misery, his best friend, Joseph is in the hospital getting treated for leukemia. On a school field trip to the aquarium, Ty ends up doing something he shouldn't. Luckily, this is a family that helps each other out, and his sisters come to his rescue.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Life of Ty: Penguin Problems is an absolutely delightful read! It was so darn cute. Ty is a character who readers will be sure to relate with, and he has just a wonderful voice.

I loved the illustrations - they were the perfect compliment to the story.

Ty is dealing with growing up and becoming more independent, all while getting used to sharing his mom with his new baby sister. Plus, there is the crazy scheme with a penguin Ty ends up doing and it was way too cute.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grades 1-3. RL 540. FABULOUS. My 8 year-old and I enjoyed this book so much. The author uses a lot of current-day brand names and fads-- which will date the title quickly, but it made my son's jaw drop because it mentions SpongeBob. The emotions and issues are something young elementary boys will identify with, especially those with new siblings. Best new book and character for this age group in a while. Can't wait to read more Ty!