An absorbing mystery that grapples earnestly but awkwardly with questions of identity and family.
In this series starter, Ben and his dog, Blue, attempt to track down Ben’s father.
Ben is dreading an upcoming assignment that requires students to give presentations about their families; his mother has always shut down his questions about his father. When she finally explains that she “found [his father] in a bank,” Ben is mystified, though adults will understand that Ben was conceived using donor sperm. In an effort to change the subject, Mom suggests they get a dog. They adopt Blue, a droopy-faced basset hound with three ears. The two quickly bond and, with Ben’s best friend, Cooper, try to find Ben’s father. A woman named Pearl who claims to be Blue’s old owner pops up periodically, but her story doesn’t add up. Who is she, and why is she following them? Ben eventually learns what it means to be donor-conceived, and though the book offers much-needed validation of nontraditional families, the message is delivered clumsily, with dialogue that feels more like talking points than organic conversation. Some may wonder why Ben’s psychiatrist mother consistently leaves a clearly confused Ben with vague information about his origins. Still, humor shines throughout, and the subplot involving Pearl is well crafted, with effective foreshadowing and a satisfying twist. Most characters are white; descriptions of characters of color occasionally feel patronizing.
An absorbing mystery that grapples earnestly but awkwardly with questions of identity and family. (author’s note) (Fiction. 7-11)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781643713731
Page Count: 168
Publisher: Red Chair Press
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2024
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another neighbor you have to meet!
Ryan Hart is navigating the fourth grade and all its challenges with determination.
Her mom named her Ryan because it means “king,” and she wanted Ryan to feel powerful every time she heard her name; Ryan knows it means she is a leader. So when changes occur or disaster strikes, budding chef Ryan does her best to find the positive and “make sunshine.” When her dad is laid off from the post office, the family must make adjustments that include moving into a smaller house, selling their car, and changing how they shop for groceries. But Ryan gets to stay at Vernon Elementary, and her mom still finds a way to get her the ingredients she needs to practice new recipes. Her older brother, Ray, can be bossy, but he finds little ways to support her, especially when she is down—as does the whole family. Each episodic chapter confronts Ryan with a situation; intermittently funny, frustrating, and touching, they should be familiar and accessible to readers, as when Ryan fumbles her Easter speech despite careful practice. Ryan, her family, and friends are Black, and Watson continues to bring visibility to both Portland, Oregon, generally and its Black community specifically, making another wonderful contribution that allows Black readers to see themselves and all readers to find a character they can love.
Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another neighbor you have to meet! (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: April 28, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5476-0056-4
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
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