Meanwhile Adventures by Roddy Doyle, illustrated by Brian Ajhar (Chapter Book)

I am a big fan of Roddy Doyle's adult books (The Commitments, The Van, The Snapper, A Star Called Henry), but I am beginning to think that he is an even better children's writer. When I was reading The Meanwhile Adventures, I could picture the story was being read to me by a slightly strange and funny uncle. The sort of uncle who likes to share fart and poop jokes with his nieces and nephews, and is always going off on some silly tangent. And I mean that all in a very good way.

Trying to describe the plot of The Meanwhile Adventures is difficult because their are so many different things happening; hence the title, Meanwhile X is happening, Meanwhile Y is happening. There is a mother trying to break the record for running around the world without telling anyone. Meanwhile there is a father in jail for attempted bank robbery with a saw. Meanwhile there are children trying to get their father out of jail, avoid the orphan catcher, and save the world. Oh yeah, and there is a talking dog. Oh yeah, and there are the tangents about figrolls, Irish setters, Irish music, and much more. Basically, this book isn't so much about the plot, but about the telling of the story. And Doyle tells the story superbly.

Ages: 7 to 12
Keywords: Almost Anything and Everything, Talking Dogs, World Records, Adventures, Ireland, Family, Siblings

Lesson Plan Idea: Geography: Show Mrs. Billie Jean Fleetwood-Mac's journey around the world, according to the route taken in the book.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why did the author include a glossary with the story?
2. Why do you think Kayla only said, "Who are you?", and why do you think Victoria only said, "Batteries included"? How did Rover and their siblings understand them?
3. Who was your favorite character in the story? Why?