The Lobster Chronicles: Lower the Trap
“Kerrin, author of the Martin Bridge chapter-book series, aims for a slightly older audience in this first instalment of a planned trilogy. Set in a fictional Nova Scotia fishing village, the books will examine, through the eyes of three separate boys, how their life changes with the capture of a gargantuan lobster. Kerrin conveys a believable plot with minimal text that’s driven by spot-on dialogue. A cast of colourful characters and a satisfying ending will leave readers wondering whose story is next.” Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 2012.
Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff!
“Slice-of-life incidents, presented in three short stand alone chapters, ring with truth and familiarity because Martin is no cookie-cutter elementary school boy. A warm rich story for new chapter-book readers, who will be more than ready for Martin Bridge.” Horn Book, June 1, 2005.
“The everyday worlds of school, home and clubs offer Martin Bridge several opportunities for growth, and his responses are on target for a third grader. Kerrin relates the episodes in a straightforward way that incorporates rich language.” School Library Journal, May 1, 2005.
“In Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff!, independent readers found a sympathetic and completely likeable character whose elementary school trials and tribulations were relayed with warmth and humor. Martin’s second outing provides more of what made the first book work so beautifully. Martin Bridge is worth looking out for.” Horn Book, December 1, 2005.
“Jessica Scott Kerrin’s Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff is a pitch-perfect chapter book that confronts its hero with three very real-world ethical dilemmas every elementary student will recognize.” School Library Journal, June, 2006.
Martin Bridge: On the Lookout!
“Young readers will identify with Martin and will celebrate his successes while recognizing his shortcomings. The rich secondary characters, realistic charcoal illustrations and familiar situations are perfect for chapter book readers. May young readers have more from Martin.” Kirkus Starred Review, August 15, 2005.
“Honest dialogue brings to life three short stories about a boy who has a lot to learn about making and keeping friends.” Scholastic Instructor, August 1, 2005.
Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead!
“Martin is a real boy with parents who allow him to find his own way, a rarity in today’s early chapter books. Warm, expressive graphic and charcoal sketches add an extra dimension to both stories.” The Horn Book, October, 2006.
“Realistic, everyday situations, likable characters and simple stories written in rich language with solid dialogue and humor make this a series with endless variations, and readers will eagerly anticipate very new installment.” Kirkus Reviews, July 26, 2006.
Martin Bridge: Sound the Alarm!
“Martin is a likable character who inadvertently gets himself into frustrating situations and uses his resiliency and resourcefulness to find practical solutions to his problems. Although he learns life lessons, the book remains light and funny. Part of an engaging series that adds a much-needed boy protagonist to early chapter-book sections, this title will be popular with newly independent readers.” School Library Journal, 2009.
Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit!
“The fifth in the Martin Bridge series of chapter books for young readers, Out of Orbit presents a new set of adventures featuring an intrepid eight-year-old. Author Kerrin presses all the right buttons, giving this age/reading level a most likeable character, a boy whose foibles, bravado – mostly false – and basic good-heartedness are perhaps not too unlike the reader’s own.” Globe and Mail, August 11, 2007.
Martin Bridge: Onwards and Upwards!
“The real strength of these engaging stories is the absolute believability of Martin. In simple language, suitable for early readers, Kerrin gives us an honest portrait of an eight-year-old boy – whether he is grumpy or thoughtful, quietly creating his own sketches in his tree fort or playing Zip Rideout’s Space Race Game. ” Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Spring 2009.
Image used by permission of Kids Can Press. Text © 2007 Jessica Scott Kerrin, illustrations © 2007 Joseph Kelly.
