Calvin Coconut: Man Trip. by Graham Salisbury, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. March 13, 2012. Wendy Lamb Books. 112 pages. ISBN: 9780385907989.Up until reading this soon-to-be-published Calvin Coconut book, my interest in this series focused mainly on the immersion in Hawaiian culture and the boy-friendly humor that have been at the center of each of the books I've read so far. In Man Trip, however, author Graham Salisbury shows us a whole new layer to Calvin's character that elevates this book from simple fluff to true literature.
Calvin begins the book faced with a dilemma. He's been asked to mow the lawn, but there are a bunch of bufos - or toads- lurking in the grass, which must be removed before he can actually start the lawn mower. His solution is pretty typical of his mischievous character: he starts violently hurling the toads into the nearby pond. When Ledward, his mother's boyfriend sees him doing this, though, he encourages him to think about how his actions might be hurting the toads. After that, Ledward takes Calvin on a special fishing trip - a man trip, for men only - where he learns to appreciate and respect the beauty of the natural world.
I am reading this series out of order, mainly because I read the books as I am able to find them, so it's possible that earlier books have shown a quieter, more contemplative side of Calvin. But for me, after reading Trouble Magnet and Zoo Breath, where Calvin is mainly causing trouble and investigating the disgustingness of life, the Calvin of Man Trip feels like a brand new character. I absolutely loved being inside Calvin's mind, and actually seeing the transformation he undergoes on the fishing trip. I also enjoyed seeing him deal with the admiration shown to him by his classmate, Shayla, and his interaction with his teacher, Mr. Purdy. The details of the fish which Calvin helps to catch, tag, and release, are so well-written, and so action-packed, I can't imagine an adventure-minded boy would be able to resist them.
Calvin Coconut is one of those series that just never grows stale or runs its course. Each book is richer than the last, and I love seeing Calvin's growth from a prankster and a troublemaker to a thoughtful and responsible young citizen. Fans of the series won't want to miss this one - and I think new fans will be won over and want to read the other books right away. Man Trip will be published on March 13, 2012.
For more about this book, visit Goodreads and WorldCat
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