Marcus Makes a Movie

May 3, 2021
All aspiring artist Marcus wants to do is work on his comics series, which features his daring alter ego, Toothpick. Unfortunately, the Afternoon Adventures art class his widower father enrolled him in proves a bad fit for his passion; with no better options, he reluctantly joins a filmmaking class. There, he meets aspiring social influencer Jazmin, music video creator Amari, and would-be writer/director Sierra. Dubious about the program and uninterested in crafting a film from Sierra’s script, Marcus is slowly won over by the idea of filming Toothpick. Though he’s initially intimidated by the amount of work involved in the cinematic creation process, from writing the screenplay to working within a realistic budget, accepting Sierra’s tough-love advice helps him tackle each new
obstacle in turn. In this exuberant middle grade debut, comedian Hart and coauthor Rodkey (We’re Not from Here) navigate the complexities of filmmaking, skillfully channeling the craft through the misadventures of Marcus, whose inexperience with the medium and emotional connection to his material prove both creatively hindering and personally cathartic. With its solid comic timing and realistic sense of character and dialogue, this energetic love letter to the artistic process provides both practicality and encouragement. Cooper’s b&w illustrations aptly capture the story’s cued-Black cast. Ages 8–12.

May 15, 2021
Marcus, obsessed with making comics, finds new ambitions for his superhero character Toothpick when he joins an after-school filmaking club. Always-working comedian Hart enters the children's-literature world with this middle-grade novel uplifting one of the profound life lessons that helped catapult him to global superstardom. It's certainly not a biography, but one can see the shades of reality, with a young Black boy who's short and funny making his way into film. Marcus' gift for storytelling is nurtured by his love of making comics (represented visually throughout by Cooper). Readers come to understand how these creative acts help process stress and grief via striking conversations between Marcus and his loving father that also show the critical importance of developing emotional language. After an inspiring first day of film class, Marcus declares that he will make the most awesome movie ever--but there's a gigantic difference between making comics and making a movie: You can't make a movie alone. He's going to have to work with peers who challenge him. Through Marcus' experiences, young readers will learn about the many different concepts, tools, and techniques that are part of the behind-the-camera filmmaking endeavor. Unfortunately, lumping Toni Morrison in with William Shakespeare as just another "dead author" is a distasteful moment in an otherwise enjoyable read. The book adheres to a Black default. A charming read that demystifies the work of making a movie and celebrates the gifts of authentic friendship. (Fiction. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2021
Grades 4-6 With expert coaching from Rodkey, film star and stand-up comedian Hart kicks off a middle-grade series featuring--not coincidentally, according to the introduction--a character with an artistic bent, anger issues, a single dad, and a sudden yen to make a movie. Young Marcus would rather just draw superhero comics, but being forced to sign up for film club because it's the only after-school activity left open, he quickly becomes a man on a mission. Some schooling in the virtues of teamwork and compromise--plus plenty of eye-opening lessons in casting, screenplay writing, and other requisite skills later--Toothpick Fights the Doom is a "MeTube" sensation. Cooper's scattered monochrome scenes alternate isolated pages of Marcus' melodramatic comics with views of the largely Black cast in theatrical poses. By the end, Marcus has begun to work his way out of the emotional rut he's been in since his mother's death, found in "gangly mean girl" Sierra a perceptive, if mouthy, collaborator for future projects, and given readers a glimpse of what working hard to make a dream a reality looks like.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 30, 2021

Gr 3-6-Marcus loves to draw comics about Toothpick, a young Black boy superhero. When his father insists he join an after-school club, he chooses the filmmaking class. It occurs to him that he can use this opportunity to turn his Toothpick comics into a movie. He isn't thrilled to see Sierra in his class, having had an unfortunate encounter with her on a bus-then he learns that while each student can work on their own project, the class will also work together on Sierra's screenplay, Phone Zombies. In a temper, he quits. But Sierra makes him a deal to return if the class will help with his project too. The learning curve is enormous and the amount of work intense, but Marcus wants to succeed so badly that he puts in the work. With the help of the other kids, Sierra especially, and a lot of trouble-shooting, it seems his dream may become a reality. Things take a downturn when Marcus insists on sneaking into a hospital to film a scene. It seems his movie will never be made unless Marcus can come to terms with his mistake and his reasons for making it. Marcus i a flawed but appealing character with a dream that young readers will be able to relate to easily. The movie-making details are integrated smoothly and make for an interesting glimpse of the process. Cooper's black-and-white illustrations add humor and excitement to the text. The underlying themes of learning from your mistakes and working hard to pursue your dreams shine through. VERDICT An entertaining read and great choice for young readers who want more depth than "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Dork Diaries" provide.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.