Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Iggy digs himself into a hole lot of trouble.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In IGGY IS THE HERO OF EVERYTHING, Iggy's neighbors the Heckies get robbed -- with the robbers stealing computers, jewelry, and 7-year-old Rudy's Halloween candy. So Iggy decides to do what he can to protect his family from the robbers, should they come back to rob his house. His plan is simple: to dig a deep hole for the robbers to fall into, and camouflaging the hole with some path rocks so they won't see it. When he's digging, Rudy comes over and wants to help, grabbing the shovel and ending up getting his finger sliced. Rudy's dad later falls into the hole and gets hurt. How can Iggy make amends?
Is It Any Good?
This funny story of a boy who messes up while trying to do what he thinks is helpful is full of kid-centered reasoning about stepping up to save your home and family. A big theme is that events are open to interpretation. Like Rudy sees his injury as something serious, and Iggy thinks he should look on the bright side, because his finger wasn't chopped off. His parents think he should have thought more carefully about putting people at risk with his big hole, while he thinks they should hail him as a hero for protecting the house. Lots to chew on here (besides Iggy's Halloween candy), and lots of laughs along the way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the mistakes Iggy makes in Iggy Is the Hero of Everything. How could he have done a better job thinking about what could go wrong with his plan?
What do you think about the consequences Iggy's parents come up with to punish Iggy after his plan causes trouble for others? Are they fair and appropriate? What do you think he learned?
What do you think of the funny narrator? How does the narrator help you understand why Iggy thinks of himself as a hero? What do think about events being a matter of interpretation?
Book Details
- Author: Annie Barrows
- Illustrator: Sam Ricks
- Genre: Humor
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: May 4, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 111
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: May 11, 2021
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