Marv, Child Inventor
Ranked #4,669 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #172,933 overall | Donates to Donors Choose
Marv : An Inventor with Imagination
Do you have an inventor in your family? My son always loved to tinker and invent things. It did not take much encouragement to convince him to read Marv by Marilyn Sachs.
Just like my son, Marv was an inventor. His mind was always working; thinking of new inventions. He built a revolving door, an elevator to lift groceries to the second floor and a cement river in the front yard.
Marv was focused and inventive but did not see the whole picture the way his exasperated older sister did.
What I like about this book is the way it shows a young boy using his imagination in a hands-on, creative way. It not only captured my son's interest in reading it also sparked his imagination and even more to create his own inventions.
Marv should especially appeal to parents looking for validation for allowing their children time for play.
Photo Credit: Revolving Door by royblumenthal
Used under creative commons
Marv by Marilyn Sachs
Inspiring Inventors
Marv Green likes to build things that seem purposeless to others, like an igloo made of bricks in his back yard. His teachers consider him stupid, and his brilliant older sister, whom he admires more than anyone else in the world, calls him a failure. What will become of a boy who is part dreamer, part nuisance, part fool, and perhaps, part genius?"The time Marv spends concentrating on his ideas, building projects and creating ideas seen only in his imagination are what makes Marv such a great inventor. The skills that Marv develops as a young boy may very well lead him to a career in Mechanical Engineering where his inventions really pay off. Each day Marv invents something new. As your children read the story of Marv, they too may begin to think like an inventor. Will this book lead them to become Mechanical Engineers and Inventor?
Marv
Amazon Price: $2.00 (as of 05/26/2012)
Don't miss this book. You and your children will delight in the inventions that Marv creates and laugh at his tunnel vision. With Marv's inspiration, your children may too become Inventors.
“Marv is a genius builder who seems to construct only useless things--but they make sense to him.”
Marv: An Inspirations for Budding Inventors
K'Nex is a tool for Invention
My son loved Marv. I read the first chapter with him, laughing all the way. We talked about Marv's inventions and his sister's reactions. Then life interfered and I was not able to keep reading at that moment. The next thing I knew, I found my son curled up in a chair reading.
He read the book from cover to cover and didn't even want to stop to eat. My son, the reluctant reader, was devouring a book! I was so thrilled.
A few days later, I found him working with cardboard, Legos and k'Nex trying to make revolving doors and escalators.
MARV
was the key to breaking through the barrier of the reluctant reader for my son and for many other children that I have suggested this book to since.Some of them have even gone on to become Inventors and Mechanical Engineers.
What did you think of this book's impact on your child becoming an Inventor?
Marv will turn my child into an Inventor
Superwife says:
I think we will have to check out this book, it sounds really great!
groovyoldlady says:
This sounds like a great book for my Cupcake. She's not reluctant to read as much as she's just having a low start - reading at a 1st grade level when she's 8 and 1/2. However, readable books with interesting content really help to motivate her. I've added this book to my library list!
OhMe says:
I think my grandson would like to read Marv, too
nancy says:
i think it is a good book.
sandyspider says:
The reviews sound great. This is something I would enjoy.
ShushiDenMaster says:
This looks like a very entertaining book
- even inspiring to create something,
to get the inventing ball rolling.
I love the review, and the introduction to Marilyn Sachs.
Seeing her made me want to read a little more.
I have a feeling in this book we will see Merv invent with the little things he does have and create genius from simplicity.
My child is already an Inventor and will Love to Read Marv
windygig says:
Awesome. My son was not too reluctant, but Harry Potter got us through that stage, We waited for the next book to come out. I know lots of Marv the Inventor kids. This approach rocks.
Inventors Love Marv
Time to Rate Marv by Marilyn Sachs
Hand this book to a young boy who is interested in inventions. Read the first chapter with him if necessary. I have found very few boys who don't enjoy the inventiveness of Marv and wish that their parents allowed them to make such constructions in the back yard. Would you be willing to allow your child to have free reign over the materials in your house to invent and create the projects in his or her imagination?
If you haven't read Marv yet, do so and then come back to rate it.
Understanding Parents
Marv's mother and father trusted him to use tools and allowed him access to whatever scraps were left over from projects around the house.
Marilyn Sachs's official site
Author of Marv
- Marilyn Sachs's official site
Marilyn Sachs was born in the Bronx, New York City. The street she lived on had no trees or flowers, but it had children - lots and lots of children. The street didn't go anywhere important, and cars seldom came through. In the summertime, it was frequently closed to traffic.
Biography of Marilyn Sachs
- Marilyn Sachs (1927-) Biography
- Marilyn Sachs, the author of more than thirty books for children and young adults, helped launch the trend of realistic fiction for young readers with her first book, 1964's Amy Moves In. Her middle-grade and young-adult novels, such as Veronica Ganz, The Fat Girl, and Lost in America, are known for their treatments of serious themes, such as bullying, divorce, family crises, and prejudice. Sachs' characters often do not fit into mainstream teenage life; distanced from their peers by circumstance or choice, they struggle with dilemmas in search of plausible solutions which will still allow them to be true to themselves.
They work out the problems that confront them by recounting their life stories. Sachs has been praised by critics for her ability to realistically portray relationships and has also been commended for incorporating relevant social issues in her works. In addition, reviewers have lauded her identification with and compassion for her sometimes flawed characters.
More books by Marilyn Sachs
Vote for your favorites, or add any I missed.
Now that you have read Marv, how about reading some more books by Marilyn Sachs. Do these books measure up?
First Impressions by Marilyn Sachs
" I read on. And then it happens. On page 89. more...0 points
Fran Ellen's House by Marilyn Sachs
When Fran and her brother and sisters reunite with more...0 points
Reviews of Marv
Opinions of Marv by Marilyn Sachs
Beth discusses Marv on Livejournal
Beth suggests reading three of Marilyn Sach's books together. These books were written during the 1940's. The setting of these three books, Veronica Ganz, Peter and Veronica and Marv were all set during Ms. Sach's own childhood. Beth said that it was "amazing to read them in the order in which they were written and realize that parts of Marv actually take place before Peter and Veronica, and Marv's big project is actually something of a failure."0 points
Mitali's Fire Escape: Here's To The Writing Life! With comment about Marv by Marilyn Sachs
...I was shocked to find out how many of Marilyn Sachs' books are O-O-P, including MARV and VERONICA GANZ, two great reads. Now, though, with Print on Demand, your story can still be accessible...0 points
Books about Inventing
Non-fiction for Inventors like Marv
Have you ever read any books by Marilyn Sachs?
Look Who's Twittering about Inventors
All the latest news about Inventions and Inventors like Marv...
Marv is on GoodReads
Come rate Marv and discover more Good Reads
Books for the Reluctant Reader
Marv's Favorite Lenses
Marv had an Unschooling Personality
John Holt: UnschoolingUnschooling is learning based on the student's interests, needs, and goals. Parents are facilitators rather than teachers, helping their children to find resources for learning rather than being teaching a canned curriculum.
Marv is a Must Read!
Chatting about Marv
Do you think you could get your reluctant reader to read Marv?
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Showpup
Mar 20, 2012 @ 10:43 am | delete
- I don't have any reluctant readers but my grandson would likely be more interested in this than many books I've heard about.
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SnoopyGirl1
Nov 6, 2011 @ 10:26 pm | delete
- Sounds like a good book. I will check my local library. Thanks for sharing.
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LisaAuch
Sep 24, 2011 @ 11:52 am | delete
- Yes, we were always looking for good books to engage our reluctant readers, have never heard of Marv, but sounds fantastic
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akumar46
May 18, 2011 @ 9:40 pm | delete
- Kids inventive skills should be encouraged by the parents.Thanks for such a nice lens on Marv.
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jp1978
Oct 26, 2010 @ 9:07 pm | delete
- Many kids have creative/inventive talents like Marv but unfortunatley some parents don't understand. They see their kids' creations as clutter or a waste of time.
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windygig
Oct 4, 2010 @ 11:30 pm | delete
- Lens Love. Now I have to read it for me! I love childrens' literature.
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tandemonimom Apr 14, 2010 @ 9:40 am | delete
- This book sounds MARVelous! I'm going to have to find a copy - though I am fortunate in not having a reluctant reader!
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OhMe Nov 7, 2009 @ 7:40 pm | delete
- Marv by Marilyn Sachs sounds like a wonderful book. I might be back here to purchase one for my grandson for Christmas. blessed
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strayspay
Nov 7, 2009 @ 7:54 am | delete
- Nice book review lens! I'd love to read about Marv.
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Evelyn_Saenz
Nov 7, 2009 @ 7:21 am | in reply to Stazjia | delete
- Thank you, SquidAngel
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Stazjia
Nov 7, 2009 @ 6:49 am | delete
- 'Marv' by Marilyn Sachs sounds like an absolutely wonderful book. I'd never heard of it before but it's one I've made a note of to buy for my young nephew. Blessed by an Angel.
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Apr 14, 2009 @ 7:14 pm | delete
- Nicely done review! Blessed by a SquidAngel.
Brenda
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WhitePineLane
Apr 11, 2009 @ 6:23 pm | delete
- Sounds like the perfect book for my son-- so I just bought it! Thanks for the tip-- I had never heard of this one. I've also lensrolled you over to my Ideas for Reluctant Tweener Readers lens. Another great lens-- five stars!
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Jimmie
Apr 4, 2009 @ 9:47 pm | delete
- This book is new to me although I am familiar with the author. Reading books is a great pastime for kids, and of course, anything that stimulates creativity is a winner in my book.
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sandyspider
Apr 3, 2009 @ 4:23 pm | delete
- Nice write up. Thanks for sharing.
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Rewards4life Apr 3, 2009 @ 11:39 am | delete
- I haven't read that so it is hard to express my opinion. From your review I can say that I would read this book with a pleasure, and recommend it to my friends. Thanks for sharing.
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About the Reviewer of Marv
Donor's Choice
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