The Last Badge

by George McClements

Samuel Moss is a twelfth-generation scout. He is determined to become part of his family's Album of Scouting Greatness, but there is only one way to do it: he has to earn the elusive Moon Frog Badge. To do so, he has to find the moon frog-a rare amphibian that hibernates for 30 years and only appears at the 12th hour of the 12th night of the 12th month! So Samuel sets off on a funny and action-packed adventure to track down the moon frog. Along the way, he will have to accomplish such feats as hiking in the Screaming Forest; driving out of the city making only right turns; crawling through Booger Cave, and running down Avalanche Hill. Will he be up to the challenge?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 2005

Reviews

[Ruhama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam’s family has all been in the Grizzly Scout program, and all but him have done great and wonderful things, all recorded in the Album of Scouting Greatness. Sam is determined to get his name in there too, and decides all he needs is to get every last badge available for scouts and then he’d have the record. To do that, though, he needs to get a picture of the elusive Moon Frog. Most of the book encompasses Sam’s research and trek to find where the Moon Frog is and how to capture it on film. The illustrations are mixed media, and blend well. There is hidden humor throughout the story (e.g. one badge is the Beard Care Badge, with the badge picturing a full beard), and Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will enjoy the parody of their group(s). This would work well with classroom reads or visits.

[Becky H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Moss is a Grizzly Scout that wants to carry on the family tradition of Scouting greatness. And to do so he must earn the last badge, the Moon Frog Badge. He only has a limited time will he be able to achieve his badge?
This is the book we use at the library for the Boy Scout tour groups. The kids love it. They like to hear all of the funny badges like the Thumb Wrestling Badge and the Old-Lady-Crossing_the-Road-Badge.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel longs to have his name entered into the family's Album of Scouting Greatness. For generations, his uncles, grandfathers, cousins, etc had mementos of "great Grizzly Scout achievements." But before you can see the album, you must be in the album. So Samuel decides to go after the most elusive badge of all: the Moon Frog Badge. And in doing so, Samuel learns a lot about himself and his family.

Cute idea and interesting illustrations.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about an adventurous kid! The Grizzly Scout badges were funny! :) Moon frog? Cute!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2...

[Sonotcal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old daughter and I really enjoyed this book and related to the featured family's values toward nature. Really cool frog too!

[Rose]

E McC