A satisfying, old-fashioned–feeling magical adventure.
Eleven-year-old Jake and 6-year-old Simon, Canadian brothers, acquire three magic objects that enable them to help themselves and several other people.
Almost immediately after their arrival in London, England, with their mother, Rachel, a sidewalk magician gives the boys a magic camera, stopwatch, and “oriental” carpet. Only Simon believes in the objects’ magic, but soon after the family arrives at the home of Rachel’s sister and her husband and daughter, Hannah, the boys find themselves touring London via flying carpet. Facts about the city entwine seamlessly with a cinematic text. Jake begins privately plotting illegal ways to return his family to Canada while his dad is away. When the carpet becomes waterlogged, Hannah joins the boys in exploring by bike and using the other magic objects. Although set in a time contemporary enough to have their antics posted on YouTube, this fantasy, with its cast of resourceful, Anglo-Saxon children, loving but often clueless adults, and lighthearted, chaotic adventures, is reminiscent of the novels of E. Nesbit and Edward Eager. There are brief, serious switches in tone when Jake expresses anger about the poverty gap and when readers learn that Jake’s father is in prison—although not why. Most of the text is humorous, with endearing characters (including the queen of England), madcap adventures, and happy endings—plus an opening for a sequel starring Hannah.
A satisfying, old-fashioned–feeling magical adventure. (Fantasy. 7-11)Pub Date: April 4, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-77138-203-8
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Jan. 16, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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