An often charming, if uneven, tale about the repercussions of being a braggart.
In this middle-grade fantasy novel, two Irish kings brag about their superiority—with mixed results.
At a great feast, King Leon of the Land of the Leprechauns boasts to his many guests that there’s no leader greater in all the land. However, the king’s most trusted adviser, David, begs to differ, stating that there does exist a man as great as he is. Leon’s claim, David says, does an injustice to this other man—and all of his subjects, as well. King Leon initially imprisons David for his impudence, but then he asks him to obtain proof of the existence of this supposedly great man—another king, named Josh the Daring. After a lengthy stay at Josh’s kingdom, David returns, vindicated, to the Land of the Leprechauns. King Leon and his wife, Anna, eventually also go to Josh’s kingdom, and the two kings learn a lot from each other. However, it turns out that Leon can only leave if Josh gives the word—which he refuses to do. When Leon’s people come for him, the two sides fight, and the leprechauns turn wells dry and rid cows of milk, among other things. Will the two kingdoms ever see eye to eye? Collins (The Juggler and the Magic Harp, 2014, etc.) is a prolific writer of whimsical Irish fiction, and this new work certainly fits that bill. Its overall concept is fantastical and imaginative. However, the prose isn’t very strong in some places, as the narrator notes unnecessary details, such as a repeated point that the king and queen are the only dark-haired people in their kingdom. The novel could also do with more thorough editing, as there are punctuation errors throughout (“ ‘Release him said the king,’ and he was immediately released”). Some of the characters’ speeches, though clever, are grandiose and wordy, and sometimes difficult to read. That said, the story itself is lovely, effectively warning readers of the dangers of jumping to conclusions.
An often charming, if uneven, tale about the repercussions of being a braggart.Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2014
ISBN: 978-1496979896
Page Count: 112
Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
Review Posted Online: March 27, 2015
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
In more ways than one, a tale about young creatures testing their wings; a moving, entertaining winner.
A fifth-grade New Orleans girl discovers a mysterious chrysalis containing an unexpected creature in this middle-grade novel.
Jacquelyn Marie Johnson, called Jackie, is a 10-year-old African-American girl, the second oldest and the only girl of six siblings. She’s responsible, smart, and enjoys being in charge; she likes “paper dolls and long division and imagining things she had never seen.” Normally, Jackie has no trouble obeying her strict but loving parents. But when her potted snapdragon acquires a peculiar egg or maybe a chrysalis (she dubs it a chrysalegg), Jackie’s strong desire to protect it runs up against her mother’s rule against plants in the house. Jackie doesn’t exactly mean to lie, but she tells her mother she needs to keep the snapdragon in her room for a science project and gets permission. Jackie draws the chrysalegg daily, waiting for something to happen as it gets larger. When the amazing creature inside breaks free, Jackie is more determined than ever to protect it, but this leads her further into secrets and lies. The results when her parents find out are painful, and resolving the problem will take courage, honesty, and trust. Dumas (Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 5, 2017, etc.) presents a very likable character in Jackie. At 10, she’s young enough to enjoy playing with paper dolls but has a maturity that even older kids can lack. She’s resourceful, as when she wants to measure a red spot on the chrysalegg; lacking calipers, she fashions one from her hairpin. Jackie’s inward struggle about what to obey—her dearest wishes or the parents she loves—is one many readers will understand. The book complicates this question by making Jackie’s parents, especially her mother, strict (as one might expect to keep order in a large family) but undeniably loving and protective as well—it’s not just a question of outwitting clueless adults. Jackie’s feelings about the creature (tender and responsible but also more than a little obsessive) are similarly shaded rather than black-and-white. The ending suggests that an intriguing sequel is to come.
In more ways than one, a tale about young creatures testing their wings; a moving, entertaining winner.Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943169-32-0
Page Count: 212
Publisher: Plum Street Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A YA novel that treats its subject and its readers with respect while delivering an engaging story.
In the ninth book in the Bluford young-adult series, a young Latino man walks away from violence—but at great personal cost.
In a large Southern California city, 16-year-old Martin Luna hangs out on the fringes of gang life. He’s disaffected, fatherless and increasingly drawn into the orbit of the older, rougher Frankie. When a stray bullet kills Martin’s adored 8-year-old brother, Huero, Martin seems to be heading into a life of crime. But Martin’s mother, determined not to lose another son, moves him to another neighborhood—the fictional town of Bluford, where he attends the racially diverse Bluford High. At his new school, the still-grieving Martin quickly makes enemies and gets into trouble. But he also makes friends with a kind English teacher and catches the eye of Vicky, a smart, pretty and outgoing Bluford student. Martin’s first-person narration supplies much of the book’s power. His dialogue is plain, but realistic and believable, and the authors wisely avoid the temptation to lard his speech with dated and potentially embarrassing slang. The author draws a vivid and affecting picture of Martin’s pain and confusion, bringing a tight-lipped teenager to life. In fact, Martin’s character is so well drawn that when he realizes the truth about his friend Frankie, readers won’t feel as if they are watching an after-school special, but as though they are observing the natural progression of Martin’s personal growth. This short novel appears to be aimed at urban teens who don’t often see their neighborhoods portrayed in young-adult fiction, but its sophisticated characters and affecting story will likely have much wider appeal.
A YA novel that treats its subject and its readers with respect while delivering an engaging story.Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2004
ISBN: 978-1591940173
Page Count: 152
Publisher: Townsend Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 26, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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