Martha in the Middle

by Jan Fearnley

Book Overview

Martha is tired of being in the middle - until a frog points out its benefits - in a funny story sure to have middle siblings feeling on top of the world. Being in the middle is no fun for Martha. She gets squashed between her siblings when they argue. She never gets called "big and sensible" or "cutesy-wootsy." Sometimes she even feels invisible. One day she gets so fed up, she decides to run away. Luckily, Martha meets a wise frog who points out that the middle is the best bit - the tasty seeds in the sunflower, the sweet peas in the pod, the juiciest part of a watermelon. With beguiling warmth and humor, Jan Fearnley reassures children that being in the middle of things is a choice spot after all.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763638005
• ISBN13: 9780763638009
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.2" x 10.8"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Outstanding book for a middle child but great for any child.

This is my newest favorite book. I'm guessing I relate because as a middle child, I felt just like Martha; stuck in the middle, squashed in the middle, invisible in the middle. Martha grows tired of being ignored and decides to runaway. She thinks "They won't even care that I'm gone." Along the way, she meets a very wise frog who teaches her the middle is the best part, the sweetest part and the juiciest part. Once Martha realizes the middle is special, things start to change. Jan Fearnley's large, colorful and whimsical illustrations, mixed with her text, make Martha in the middle an outstanding book for any child. However, it will leave a middle child feeling understood and special. Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa

Wonderful book for 'middles'!

Author-illustrator Jan Fearnley's "Martha in the Middle" is the perfect book for middle children. The charming story centers around young Martha, a mouse who feels she is constantly being sandwiched between older sis, Clara, and younger brother Ben. She gets so sick of being in the middle that she decides to 'run away', until a chance encounter with a wise frog makes her look at her position with a fresh perspective. The text is simple and perfect for reading aloud and the full-color illustrations convey all the frustrations Martha faces as a middle child with a perfect blend of wit and humor. This is definitely a must-read for those with a child in the middle, but also for all preschoolers who like a well-told story.

for the one in the middle

For a granddaughter in the middle I think this is a very good book. From the perspective of being that particular age, it mentions the trials and tribulations of being younger than and older than your siblings. A complex stage of dealing with life issues.

A nice book with a great lesson!

Martha is the middle child, always sandwiched in between the eldest and the youngest, always feeling forgotten in the middle between the two extremes. When she finally gets tired of it and runs away, she meets a friendly frog who shows her that quite often the best things are right in the middle! This is a nice book, with large illustrations and a great message. If you have a middle child in your life, then you should get this book for him or her. It's a nice book with a great lesson!