BABYMOUSE #11: DRAGONSLAYER

Bibliography 

Holm Jennifer and Mathew. 2009.  Babymouse # 11: Dragonslayer. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 0375857125

Plot Summary

Although Babymouse is great at reading, she is struggling with her math.  She must join her school’s math club, the Fighting Fractions, to keep from failing.  Together they end up winning the Golden Slide Rule.

Critical Analysis

This is a fiction, comic ad graphic novel perfect book for 1^st - 5^th grade.  The reader can relate to the the main character, Babymouse, who is a mouse with curly whiskers that she hates, she is also a student in an elementary, and loves reading.  Babymouse places herself in the stories form her books, like The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and Harry Potter to keep from thinking about math class, the subject she is failing.  The setting is evident and relatable as it centers the life of a struggling student (mouse) in school.  Babymouse copes with her problems in imaginary adventures and then tackles the problems in real life.   

The story creates dramatic tension with the fun and hilarious illustrations portraying herself as the hero, perfect for reluctant readers. The fantasy elements start with the cover image; Babymouse wearing an armor suit, holding a sword, and a fears dragon, they continue throughout the book. As her vivid imagination takes charge, the readers picture her slaying the math dragon.  

  

The authors include math signs in her classroom such as “Mathletes Exercise Their Brain,” and “Divide and Conquer” relaying positive messages.   As Babymouse overcomes that challenging math obstacle, readers connect with the theme of facing and overcoming fears with the help of friends.  Like students in the real world, she is encouraged by her teacher, “When you believe in something…it’s worth fighting for” (p. 52).  In the end, readers realize that math isn’t so bad after all. 

Review Excerpts

• WINNER 2010 - Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
• The Chicago Sun-Times: "Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!
• Starred Review, The Horn Book: "Nobody puts Babymouse in the corner!
• Booklist: "Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans."
• The Bulletin: "An almost absurdly likeable heroine." 

Connections

The Babymouse series includes 18 books.

Look at Using Graphic Novels in Education: Babymouse http://cbldf.org/2014/11/using-graphic-novels-in-education-babymouse/

Another novel series you might want to read and pair with Babymouse is Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney — a series about a boy and his struggles in middle school.