Mal and Chad: The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever!

Mal is a child genius and Chad is a talking dog. Mal pretends to be just a normal kid so he can stay in grade school, either because he doesn’t want to grow up too fast or because he has a crush on Megan (a girl in his class). Mal and Chad do everything together from scuba diving in the kitchen sink to traveling back in time to the age of the dinosaurs. The story is fun and filled with mayhem and adventure. The drawings are simple and in black and white. They show the character’s emotions and portray a sense of excitement when the story calls for it. McCranie originally created Mal and Chad as a comic strip for a college newspaper. There are three books in the Mal and Chad series.This one was very cute and funny. I actually laughed out loud at times.

I bought this book along with the other two in the series. These books are great for my grandson who is going into the third grade and is a very reluctant reader. The books are set up comic book style. I like these books because the pictures are large and clear. The characters (mainly a boy and his dog) are well developed, as they would be in a conventional style book. The problems presented in one chapter are linked into the next, so the story flows at it would in a chapter book. There are several multisyllabic words, presenting some needed challenge in a highly motivating format. There is no offensive language. The humor is tasteful, not offensive. The book ends with a life lesson: teaching that it is more important to decide what kind of person you want to be when you grow up, than what job you will do.

If "bestest" was a real word, I would totally use it in my review. This is one of the bestest graphic novels for upper middle grade students (3rd-5th) that I've ever read. I will absolutely share it with my 4th graders!Author Stephen McCranie brilliantly captures the highs and lows of being a 4th grade boy genius. Mal and his beloved talking dog Chad have some excellent adventures together. These adventures range from time-travel, baby dinosaur befriending, sink scuba diving, and more!As a fourth grade teacher I heard about this book from another teacher, and then knew I HAD to read it after one of my reluctant readers enthusiastically recommended it to me! I'm hooked, off to go buy the next two books to read myself, then to share with my students!Keep up the excellent work!

Having enjoyed the short-form, sometimes funny, sometimes cute, sometimes touching web series of Mal and Chad comics I wasn't sure what to expect from Stephen McCranie's first foray into the long form of a book length story. With "The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever! he has brought together all those things I liked about his web comics and combined them with a story that doesn't disappoint and even surprises at times. I can't wait to see what his next book brings.

Mal and Chad is a fantastic graphic novel, perfectly geared for the second-fourth grade set. One of the things about this graphic novel that really appealed to me was that Mal isn't a trouble maker, or a talking pickle, or a Pokemon, but instead feels more like an authentic, genuine, kid (though of course one with super intelligence and a talking dog, think Jimmy Neutron). The issues he faces, including the assignment that drive this book, are ones students can easily understand, relate to, and enjoy reading about. My only complaint is that the illustrations are in black and white, but you only notice the color's absence on the first few pages.This is a great book to get on your shelves, and into the hands of any reluctant reader, or a student that needs to be forcefully removed from the Wimpy Kid series (we all know those). Enjoy!

My son damaged this book and it belonged to his school library luckily I found it in hard cover,saved the day!

My son does not like to read and my I couldn’t get him to put this book down it’s exactly what I needed a fun book .

Mal and Chad is simply one of the best comics of all time. Heartwarming and sincere stories with absolutely great art. It's rare you find great style, story AND art in one package that can also move you emotionally, but Mal and Chad have it all. The online comic strip is great, and the book is fantastic.

My eight year old nephew adores these graphic novels. I was thrilled to find a series age appropriate for a Grade 2 student. They are simple enough that he can read them alone but funny enough that he wants to share them with an adult. I will definitely buy the next in the series.

Very good for a younger age, of for those who still are a child at heart.

Got my son excited about reading again (and in English) so double thumbs up for us. He's already asked for the next in the series.