Agatha Parrot and the Heart of Mud

by Kjartan Poskitt, Wes Hargis (Illustrations)

First, Martha’s mom bans her from playing soccer, and Agatha and friends must get Martha back on the field. Then Agatha’s brother, James, receives an email from a mysterious girl, Bella, and Agatha secretly responds for him. It’s just one of those things that sisters have to do!
     Agatha discovers Bella’s love of spelling might hold the secret for getting Martha permission to play soccer again. Several forged emails—and a few spelling tests—later, will Martha play in the big game? And what will happen when the innocent Bella meets the real James?
     The irresistible adventures of Agatha Parrot continue in this funny and unpredictable installment.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Kjartan Poskitt is an author and TV presenter who is best known for writing the Murderous Maths children's series of books. Poskitt was educated at Collingwood College, Durham. In addition to his popular science and maths books, which include books on Isaac Newton (Dead Famous: Isaac Newton and his Apple), puzzles, practical jokes and secred codes, Poskitt has written a book of magical tricks, a GCSE Maths support book and four Rosie and Jim annuals. In 2007, Poskit published the first in a new series of children's novels called Urgum the Axeman.

He also wrote the theme tune for the children's art program SMart, as well as the title theme and music for the first two series of Brum. He is also the creator of a logic puzzle, Kjarposko.

He has been a presenter for a number of (mostly BBC) educational children's TV shows.

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zany fun as Agatha Parrot tries to help her friend Martha make the Spelling team at school, so Martha's mom will let her play soccer. Agatha's plan involves intercepting and sending emails back and forth pretending to be her brother James to gain access to the spelling team's word list. Not quite a good idea.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was provided to me as an advance reader copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

First, Martha’s mom bans her from playing soccer and Agatha and friends must get Martha back on the field. Then Agatha’s brother, James, receives an email from a mysterious girl, Bella, and Agatha secretly responds for him. It’s just one of those things that sisters have to do! Agatha discovers Bella’s love of spelling might hold the secret for getting Martha permission to play soccer again. Several forged emails—and a few spelling tests—later, will Martha play in the big game? And what will happen when the innocent Bella meets the real James? The irresistible adventures of Agatha Parrot continue in this funny and unpredictable installment.

This being my first experience with Agatha Parrot, I had no preconceived notions of what to expect. This book made me snicker out loud at certain points. Yes, there was some silliness, which I prefer to avoid when reading, but if one is going to convey the true behavior of 7 and 8 year-olds, there is going to be some silliness involved. Agatha and her friends felt real and I can imagine the circumstances in the book actually occurring. The children do engage in some deceit (cheating, lying), but in the end, honesty wins out (somewhat), and the characters go to bed happy. I would recommend this book to kiddos 7 to 10 years-old. They will love the antics of Agatha and her friends, and will likely clamor for more.

[Jill]

Though it's difficult for me to evaluate this book from the perspective of a 10-year old, I thought the story was engaging and the illustrations cute. Agatha Parrot and her friends Ivy, Ellie, Bianca and Martha live on Odd Street, where all the houses have odd numbers, and attend the Odd Street School just down the street.

Agatha intercepts email sent to her brother by a girl cousin who lives far away and responds on his behalf since he isn't interested in corresponding with the girl. In fact, he is creeped out by the fact that she signs off her mails with "LOVE from Bella". During Agatha's ongoing email with Bella, she discovers that Bella is participating in a Spelling Club similar to the club Agnes and her friends are involved in (against their will). But Bella gets the words a day or two before the kids at the Odd Street School, so they cook up a scheme to help their friends do well in the spelling challenges. Their friend Martha isn't allowed to play soccer unless she does well at spelling, so this is a way for her to get back onto the soccer field.

The plot is a bit complicated, but still relatable by a 10 year old. Agnes describes her quirky family and the shenanigans that she always seem she to be the center of. The story is told with humor and fun, and the reader will definitely be looking forward to the next series in the exploits of Agnes Parrot.

[♛primadonna♛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely fantastic book for juveniles. Funny story and great characters . There was however a problem with lying. that's not good to make it sound so ok.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Dhipika Maharaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written.Love the ending.Agatha is very good with her friends.The most interesting thing in the was the spelling cud and the love texts from Bella. Love it. 10 OUT OF 10