Alvin Ho Collection: Books 1 and 2: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things and Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters

Alvin Ho Collection: Books 1 and 2: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things and Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look

Alvin Ho doesn't talk in school. He has no problem talking at home, but is afraid to speak at school. His dad is an intellectual nerdy version of Homer Simpson. He is distraught when Alvin damages his superhero toy when bringing it to show and tail. Alvin is upset that a girl is his tablemate and then tries to be a friend. He doesn't like to go to piano lessons. Piano lessons are also scary. His parents send him to a psychotherapist - which is also scary. Alvin finally responds by quoting Shakespeare - using Shakespearean curses like his dad does.

In the Camping book, Alvin's dad tries to bond with him by camping. His sister wants to go, so she prepares her stuff. Dad forgets some of the food, gets caught in a trap, and wipes his butt with poison ivy. It all seems very Homer Simpsony. 

Alvin's family comes across as a very Americanized Asian family. They still mention Chinese New Year and fried rice, but are more often talking about Shakespeare and the previous inhabitants from Concord Massachusetts.