Jennifer Murdley's Toad

Jennifer Murdley's Toad

By Bruce Coville

Published by Harcourt Children's Books (1992)

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Pages: 176

Genre: Modern Fantasy

Summary: Jennifer is bullied because she is ugly. She runs from the bullies and ends up at Mr. Elives Magic Shop. There she buys a toad named Buffo, who can talk. She takes him to school with her where he causes her trouble. The bully, Sharra, who is beautiful, asks to see Buffo and then makes fun of him and Jennifer for being ugly. Buffo jumps at Sharra and kisses her and it turns her into a toad. They go to Jennifer's house and Sharra turns Jennifer's brother Skippy into a toad by kissing him and she turns back. Skippy turns Jennifer into a toad. Buffo tells Jennifer about his creation and that his "mom" is looking for him so she can get the jewel in his head. They find out they can only stay a toad for 10 hours or the change is permanent. Jennifer turns her brother into a toad and he is kidnapped. Buffo's mom wants to trade the brother for Buffo. Jennifer decides to stay with Buffo as a toad. She has Buffo make her big by kissing her multiple times and she snatches the witch, Buffo's mom, with her toungue and destroys all the mirrors in the shop. They get away, the witch is caught and Jennifer turns Mrs. Applegate into a toad and the change is permanent because she is Buffo's long lost love, Esmeralda. Jennifer starts working for Mr. Elives.

My Reaction: I love this book! It has been one of my favorites for a long time. I love the theme of the story and I love Buffo.

Potential Problems: The story is a little violent towards the end. Jennifer breaks mirrors using the witch.

Recommendations: I would recommend this to older elementary school girls. Although, I think anyone that likes Bruce Coville's Magic Shop Books would enjoy it.

Jennifer Murdley's Toad is one in the Magic Shop Book series. Here is a list of the rest of the series and the order I would recommend they be read.

• The Monster’s Ring
• Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
• Jennifer Murdley’s Toad
• The Skull of Truth
• Juliet Dove, Queen of Love

Bruce Coville has written several series and stand alone books, this is a list of some of my favorites.

• Rod Albright Alien Adventures Series
• My Teacher Is an Alien Series
• The Unicorn Chronicles
• The A. I. Gang Series
• The Dragonslayers
• Goblins in the Castle

Bruce Coville has a fantastic website! It has games, jokes, a complete list of his books, an a lot more. Just click Here.