Baby Mouse--Mad Scientist

Baby Mouse--Mad Scientist

Specifics

APA Citation: Holm, J. L., & Holm, M. (2011). Mad Scientist (BabyMouse). New York: Random House.

Meets EDU 333 Blog Requirement For: Graphic Novel, 

Lexile Level: GN440L

Audience: I would not assign this text, however I'd be happy to have it in my classroom if I teach in a grade school. This book is for younger students, and would not be very intellectually stimulating for a middle school reader. 

Summary

This graphic novel is about Babymouse and how she wants to be a scientist. She decides to do her science project on Amoebas and becomes discouraged throughout the book because she thinks they are just boring blobs. By the end she starts feeding her Amoeba, Squish, cupcakes. This is something the judges haven't seen before, and Babymouse ends up getting 2nd place on her project. She then puts Squish back in the pond where he belongs, but promises to keep bringing him cupcakes. 

Evaluation

I think this is a great book for younger readers. Holm uses allusions while referencing Marie Curie and Horton Hears a Who. I especially enjoy that she references Marie Curie, a well known, female scientist. Babymouse is also written in a unique way because the narrator, who is not a character in the story, puts herself into it and speaks to the characters, "I'm the narrator by the way. Nice to meet you (Holm 66)" "My, what a...Unique hobby your teacher has. I guess you could say they broke the mold when they made him, huh, Babymouse (Holm)?" 

I do, however, dislike how Babymouse is a bit of a space head. She often is late for class, is caught day dreaming about random things, and there are moments where as a reader we question why this is happening. I feel that too often girls are portrayed as dumb in media. On the other hand, it is not common that readers get to see a girl succeed in sciences, so Babymouse wanting to become a scientist breaks that mold a bit. 

Mini Lesson

Again, this isn't something I would read with a whole class, so it is unlikely I would have a lesson on it. However, if I did, I would have the students come up with their own science project to conduct and then have a little science fair in our classroom. We could even invite other classes to come see.