PLB 0-531-33154-7 The backdrop of 1961 Ponce, Puerto Rico, is authentic and atmospheric but not enough to overshadow the one-idea plot. Teresa Giraux’s seamstress mother is obsessed with class and race: she plots to get her 10-year-old daughter into high society and is aloof and unintentionally cruel about the darker skin tone of Teresa’s friends and classmates. At first, Tere is oblivious to her mother’s prejudices, but when she transfers to an exclusive private school, the Academia, she takes on her mother’s bigoted behavior. Tere drops her best friend, Ana, who is darker than she is, and does her best to fit in with the Academia girls, who tend to be lighter in complexion. Predictably, Tere eventually sees the error of her ways with the gentle guidance of her father, her new friend, Marisol, and her own unpleasant experiences with discrimination. Teresa’s mother suddenly and unconvincingly changes her ways, too. The story is neither fresh nor involving, allowing the island atmosphere to take over; accurately portrayed are such details as the chirping tree frogs, bright red flamboyan trees, and the consuming excitement leading up to Carnival. (Fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30154-0
Page Count: 186
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Fans of Cameron’s Huey and Julian stories (More Stories Huey Tells, 1997, etc.) are in for a treat as Gloria, their friend from those tales, gets a book of her own and graciously allows the two brothers to share it . In the first tale, Gloria makes a wonderful card for her mother, but the wind blows it away and it ends up in the cage of a cantankerous parrot. Thanks to Mr. Bates, Huey and Julian’s dad, the day is saved, as is the burgeoning friendship that Gloria and the boys have struck up with new neighbor Latisha in the story, “The Promise.” In another story, Gloria has to deal with a huge problem—fractions—and this time it’s her dad who helps her through it. Mr. Bates proves helpful again when the group trains an “obsessed” puppy, while Gloria’s mother is supportive when Gloria is unintentionally hurt by her three best friends. The stories are warm and funny, as Gloria, a spunky kid who gets into some strange predicaments, finds out that her friends and wise, loving adults are good to have around when trouble beckons. Great fun, with subtly placed, positive messages that never take center stage. (b&w illustrations) (Fiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: March 9, 2000
ISBN: 0-374-32670-3
Page Count: 93
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2000
A skirmish over a favorite stuffed rabbit nearly destroys a friendship and the toy itself, but well-timed physical and emotional bandaging saves the day. When a little boy moves in next door to a little girl they quickly becomes friends and start sharing toys. This works well for cars, trucks, bears, and balls, but when the boy shows up with a new stuffed rabbit, cooperation goes out the window. In the ensuing tug-of-rabbit, each child yanks on the poor bunny’s ears until the stitching gives way. Figuring out a way to repair the rabbit also eventually patches up the friendship. Minor battles rage in homes and preschools everywhere, so children and adults alike will appreciate this subtle example of a peaceful resolution to toy disputes. Jahn-Clough’s pleasantly stubby children convey both healthy loud-mouthed anger and substantial charm. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-93545-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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