Living With My Stepfather is Like Living With a Moose

Author: Lynea Bowdish
Publisher: Douglas and McIntyre Ltd.
Copyright Date: 1997
Number of Pages: 55
Reading level: Ages 9-12






Summary: Matt's mother got together with a man named Frank. Frank is an absolute klutz. He trips over everything and Matt thinks that he is constantly making a fool of himself. His mother has the brilliant idea of making Matt and Frank spend time together. One disaster after another occurs as Matt tries to teach Frank how to bowl and play basketball. Finally his mother suggests that Frank take Matt to the movies and Matt agrees to it whole heartedly thinking that there is absolutely no way that Frank could screw that up with his klutzyness. However, he was very mistaken because Frank's laugh is so embarrassing to Matt that he goes home feeling awful. All of Matt's friends seem to like Frank, and his best friend says that Frank is a good sport and that he's not that bad. Eventually his mother gives up hope and believes that Frank and Matt will never get along. Then Frank asks Matt if he wants to come bird watching with him. Matt discovers that he's not very good with birds. In the end Frank wins the father son baseball game for there team and Matt realizes that his stepfather isn't that bad and he is a good sport.

Personal Response: I enjoyed reading this book. It was entertaining, humorous, and it had a good message for children that are unsure if they like a new parent. It was well written and the few pages that had pictures on them were rather entertaining.

Potential Problems: I couldn't find any potential problems in this book.

Recommended to: I would recommend this book to a child that has a recent stepparent and is deciding whether or not they like them. It is a great book to show that stepparents are not all bad.