A well-executed sequel that will leave fans howling for the next episode.
Internal struggles—and a hindersome imp—complicate our heroes’ chances in the Dungeon Run.
Forming the team Triple Trouble, Grotville’s underdogs Kit, Sandy, and Thorne have leveled up and are ready to compete in the next challenge. As in the trial that came before, they’ll have to battle beasts and outwit their competitors in a dungeon race. They’re part of “an actual league with actual teams and actual dungeons”—who cares if it’s the Bottom Feeder League? With a flapping of dragon wings, the team is on their way. Only this time, Kit, who’s a gnorf (part gnome, part dwarf), is feeling less confident. He’s painfully aware of the team’s ragtag appearance, subpar weaponry, and mismatched, hand-knitted tunics. When the team arrives in Cloudroost to find that their only sponsor is Troll Boogers, makers of a glue made of…well, troll boogers, and their hotel room is actually the boiler room, Kit can’t help but feel defeated. It’s soon clear that, aside from the actual foes in the game, Kit’s toughest challenges are his own self-doubt and attitude. As in the first book, the fast-moving plot, relatable characters, and interactive elements will captivate young readers. Todd-Stanton’s plentiful and delightful illustrations add much to the story, inviting in kids who are less confident about reading chapter books and fans of graphic novels alike.
A well-executed sequel that will leave fans howling for the next episode. (map, puzzle) (Fantasy. 7-10)Pub Date: April 8, 2025
ISBN: 9798887771236
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2025
Dizzyingly silly.
The famous superhero returns to fight another villain with all the trademark wit and humor the series is known for.
Despite the title, Captain Underpants is bizarrely absent from most of this adventure. His school-age companions, George and Harold, maintain most of the spotlight. The creative chums fool around with time travel and several wacky inventions before coming upon the evil Turbo Toilet 2000, making its return for vengeance after sitting out a few of the previous books. When the good Captain shows up to save the day, he brings with him dynamic action and wordplay that meet the series’ standards. The Captain Underpants saga maintains its charm even into this, the 11th volume. The epic is filled to the brim with sight gags, toilet humor, flip-o-ramas and anarchic glee. Holding all this nonsense together is the author’s good-natured sense of harmless fun. The humor is never gross or over-the-top, just loud and innocuous. Adults may roll their eyes here and there, but youngsters will eat this up just as quickly as they devoured every other Underpants episode.
Dizzyingly silly. (Humor. 8-10)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-50490-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014
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
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