Short and sweet, this book is a good choice for reluctant and early readers, while its humorous content will appeal to fans...
A bilingual early chapter book inducts a new character into the pantheon of precocious child detectives.
Detective Flaca is an 8-year-old gumshoe. In this first offering, readers are privy to three of her cases, involving a missing chancleta (or flip-flop), deadly oranges and disappearing salsa (of the dance, not the food, variety), respectively. Geared toward an audience that appreciates snarky humor rather than hard-core mystery fans, all three cases are the result of comedic misunderstandings on the part of Detective Flaca and are “solved” by her learning the truth in each situation. Vicente does a commendable job of including the meanings of Spanish words within the text in such a manner that non-Spanish speakers should easily be able to understand them without the need for a glossary (which is good, since there isn’t one). While Detective Flaca’s language and thought processes belie her age, the stories themselves are entertaining enough to allow readers to suspend disbelief. Baeza Ventura’s Spanish translation of the story follows the English rendition.
Short and sweet, this book is a good choice for reluctant and early readers, while its humorous content will appeal to fans of comedy. Chuckle-inducing fun. (Mystery. 6-9)Pub Date: Nov. 30, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-55885-779-7
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Piñata Books/Arte Público
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
A simple yet heartfelt tale of self-acceptance and identity.
Eight-year-old Jacob copes with gender roles and expectations.
Youngest Nguyen sibling Jacob knows what he likes and is used to getting his way. So he doesn’t understand why people are suddenly questioning his choices—like when a friend’s father tells him Vietnamese boys don’t wear pink. When his sister tells him she’s never seen a boy wear nail polish, Jacob retreats to his room, where his Grandma Nội’s fan hits him in the head. Grandma Nội passed away two years ago, but his Vietnamese Canadian family believes that their ancestors stay with them even after death. Unlike his family, Jacob doesn’t really remember Grandma Nội. But as he traces the Vietnamese zodiac animals adorning the fan, they turn a glittery gold color. Is Grandma Nội offering advice? As he draws strength from the different characteristics of the zodiac animals and Grandma Nội, Jacob gains the confidence to remain true to himself. In this latest series installment, Trinh explores the intersection of cultural identity and gender expression and identity. Readers will easily follow the straightforward first-person narrative as Jacob tries to make sense of it all. Though Jacob receives mixed reactions from kids and adults alike as he explores who he wants to be, his family is generally supportive, and their affirmation, especially from elders like Grandpa Nội, is comforting. Dynamic black-and-white illustrations capture Jacob’s ups and downs.
A simple yet heartfelt tale of self-acceptance and identity. (character biographies, author’s note) (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 9781773217710
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Annick Press
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Punny, whimsical fun.
Three outcast sisters solve crimes.
Hildegurp, Yuckmina, and Glubbifer are perhaps the most unusual residents of the town of Covenly. Lacking a car, they travel by broom, and they run a pet emporium and a detective agency out of their home. Sadly, their neighbors are too spooked to visit—except for young Jessica Nibley. The sisters are depressed by their lack of business, while Jessica is at loose ends with school out for the summer. When Jessica, attempting to elevate everyone’s mood, takes them to the tire swing, they’re shocked to see the swing’s rope has been cut. In addition to using their Eye (a crystal ball attached to an old stick) to investigate and going undercover, they look into the case of a missing robin. Mishaps—and hilarity—ensue. Puns, charmingly eccentric characters, and Amelia Bedelia–esque misunderstandings on the parts of the well-meaning but clueless sisters (“Robin!” “We are not robbing”) result in an amusing book for readers transitioning into longer chapter books. Enticing black-and-white illustrations capture the spirit of this quirky tale. The mystery is simple but just right for the target audience. Readers will be left with wise guidance on the importance of self-confidence. The book ends with a recipe for seed cakes for robins. Race and ethnicity are generally left ambiguous in both text and artwork.
Punny, whimsical fun. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: April 18, 2023
ISBN: 9781771474597
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023
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