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
An effort as insubstantial as any spirit.
Eleven-year-old Maria Russo helps her charlatan mother hoodwink customers, but Maria has a spirited secret.
Maria’s mother, the psychic Madame Destine, cons widows out of their valuables with the assistance of their apartment building’s super, Mr. Fox. Madame Destine home-schools Maria, and because Destine is afraid of unwanted attention, she forbids Maria from talking to others. Maria is allowed to go to the library, where new librarian Ms. Madigan takes an interest in Maria that may cause her trouble. Meanwhile, Sebastian, Maria’s new upstairs neighbor, would like to be friends. All this interaction makes it hard for Maria to keep her secret: that she is visited by Edward, a spirit who tells her the actual secrets of Madame Destine’s clients via spirit writing. When Edward urges Maria to help Mrs. Fisher, Madame Destine’s most recent mark, Maria must overcome her shyness and her fear of her mother—helping Mrs. Fisher may be the key to the mysterious past Maria uncovers and a brighter future. Alas, picture-book–creator Ford’s middle-grade debut is a muddled, melodramatic mystery with something of an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feel: In addition to the premise, there’s a tragically dead father, a mysterious family tree, and the Beat poets. Sluggish pacing; stilted, unrealistic dialogue; cartoonishly stock characters; and unattractive, flat illustrations make this one to miss. Maria and Sebastian are both depicted with brown skin, hers lighter than his; the other principals appear to be white.
An effort as insubstantial as any spirit. (author’s note) (Paranormal mystery. 7-10)Pub Date: July 21, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-20567-4
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano/Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
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