by Vashanti Rahaman & illustrated by Jamel Akib ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2008
Set in Trinidad, this tale about cultural identity and the dangers of prejudice gently, though a bit clumsily, makes its way through some tricky subject matter. During the Hindu festival Divali, Ricki wonders what color the blooms in his grandfather’s rose garden will be. His grandfather only answers, “Divali color for a Divali rose.” Still curious, Ricki tries to see for himself and accidentally snaps off a bud. When the grandfather discovers one of his precious roses missing, he automatically blames the “India people” who live next door. They are new to the Island, he explains, and not true Trinidadian-Indians like Ricki and himself. Only when Grandpa takes Ricki with him to accuse the neighbors does the boy finally confess. The theme of prejudice doesn’t cover new ground, but it does cover less familiar geographical territory. Only upon reading the author’s note, however, do the complex Trinidadian cultural dynamics become clear. Akib’s rich, moody oil pastels set a serious tone. Better for more mature picture-book audiences. (Picture book. 6-10)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59078-524-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2008
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by Suzy Kline ; illustrated by Amy Wummer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 27, 2018
A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode.
A long-running series reaches its closing chapters.
Having, as Kline notes in her warm valedictory acknowledgements, taken 30 years to get through second and third grade, Harry Spooger is overdue to move on—but not just into fourth grade, it turns out, as his family is moving to another town as soon as the school year ends. The news leaves his best friend, narrator “Dougo,” devastated…particularly as Harry doesn’t seem all that fussed about it. With series fans in mind, the author takes Harry through a sort of last-day-of-school farewell tour. From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. Of course, Harry isn’t as blasé about the move as he pretends, and eyes aren’t exactly dry when he departs. But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits. Finished illustrations not seen.
A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: Nov. 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-451-47963-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Sept. 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
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by Sara Pennypacker & illustrated by Marla Frazee ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2006
Maybe it was because third-grader Clementine was a little bit angry with her best friend Margaret that things got out of hand with the scissors and the permanent markers and the hair. Or maybe she really was just trying to help. In short chapters, set in the city apartment building her father manages or the school where she has some tough days, Clementine relates the events of the trying week she discovered she was the difficult child in her family and thought she was about to be given away. Middle-grade readers will sympathize with Clementine’s conflicted feelings about her friend and her family, and laugh out loud at her impulsive antics, narrated in a fresh first-person voice and illustrated with plenty of humor. Just like her family they will cheer when she comes up with a way to end The Great Pigeon War as well as the temporary rift with her friend. Energetic and imaginative, Clementine is gifted with understanding and patient parents. Give this to readers of Cleary and Blume and cross your fingers for more. (Fiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-7868-3882-5
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2006
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