George's Marvelous Medicine

Title: George's Marvelous Medicine

Author: Roald Dahl

Illustrated: Quentin Blake

ISBN: 0-590-03274-7

Format: Chapter Book-Fiction

Pages: 89 pgs.

Review: This is another tween classic by Roald Dahl. He writes the story of George Kranky who lives on a farm and is not too happy with his life. He has to take care of his mean, terrible grandmother. She constantly bothers him to bring her medicine or to being her some tea and she is very rude, and picky about how he does it. So one day when his parents leave him alone with his grandmother, he decides to get a little revenge and make his own medicine for his dear old grandmother. He goes into every room in the house pouring lots of things into a pot to stew up for her. He puts things like lotion, flea powder, chile, dandruff cure, hair remover, engine oil, antifreeze, animal pills, and paint, pretty much anything he can find around the house. He stirs it up and gives it to grandma and instantly the effects are felt. She starts to burn up and gets bigger and bigger until she has completely stretched and through every room in the house, ending up with her end through the roof. George is so impressed with his results that he gives his marvelous medicine to chicken and that chicken also burns up and grows really, really big. His parents come home and are so shocked by what they find. His mom is very upset but his dad is excited!! He wants to give the medicine to all of his farm animals so that they can grow really big and he can make a bigger profit. When the medicine runs out he tries to get George to mimic the recipe so they can sell it and be rich. The only problem is that George did not write it down and every attempt they make at a new mixture gives the animals different results. Either their necks grow too long, or their legs, but not their bodies. In the end, they do not get rich or famous from their medicine, but one thing does work out well and I will leave that surprise for anyone wanting to read this book.

This was a very fun and fast read. The language Dahl uses is very funny and humorous while also being very engaging. The audience for this book is primarily younger tween readers but can be easily enjoyed by all teens. The illustrations are hilarious and give the book that extra humor needed to convey this ridiculous story. I think many tweens can relate to George and his lack of enthusiasm over taking care of his grandma, so it would be a fun read for kids struggling with responsibilities they are happy about. It is a fast read that really lets ones imagination run lose!