An appealing family story with a sincere and goodhearted protagonist.
Beatrice More plans perfect parties—but her little sister’s birthday has snuck up on her this year, and things aren’t falling into place.
Eight-year-old Beatrice is a list-maker who thrives on being “professional” and keeping things tidy. When she realizes that Sophie’s birthday is in just two weeks, Beatrice has every intention of throwing the perfect party—but there are obstacles in her way. Her mother’s birthday cakes are lumpy and often burned. Her father sees no reason to buy new decorations even though their leftover decorations are from Halloween and Christmas. And, the family having recently moved, Sophie doesn’t have friends to invite, so Beatrice hands out invitations to random kids at the local playground. Things start to look up when Beatrice finds the perfect present for Sophie at the toy store, but then the dog gets to it while Beatrice looks for a hiding spot that won’t mess up her perfect bedroom. The expected problems are compounded by some unexpected, chuckleworthy ones, but Sophie declares her surprise party “absolutely purvect!” (Her idiosyncratic speech patterns may grate on readers.) Beatrice is brown-skinned like her mother; Sophie shares their father’s curly red hair and pale skin. Full-page illustrations move each chapter forward. Beatrice is quirky and familiar, with well-meaning parents; her settling for less than perfect is predictably sweet.
An appealing family story with a sincere and goodhearted protagonist. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: March 19, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4598-1709-8
Page Count: 104
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2019
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for...
A gentle voice and familiar pitfalls characterize this tale of a boy navigating the risky road to responsibility.
Gavin is new to his neighborhood and Carver Elementary. He likes his new friend, Richard, and has a typically contentious relationship with his older sister, Danielle. When Gavin’s desire to impress Richard sets off a disastrous chain of events, the boy struggles to evade responsibility for his actions. “After all, it isn’t his fault that Danielle’s snow globe got broken. Sure, he shouldn’t have been in her room—but then, she shouldn’t be keeping candy in her room to tempt him. Anybody would be tempted. Anybody!” opines Gavin once he learns the punishment for his crime. While Gavin has a charming Everyboy quality, and his aversion to Aunt Myrtle’s yapping little dog rings true, little about Gavin distinguishes him from other trouble-prone protagonists. He is, regrettably, forgettable. Coretta Scott King Honor winner English (Francie, 1999) is a teacher whose storytelling usually benefits from her day job. Unfortunately, the pizzazz of classroom chaos is largely absent from this series opener.
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for subsequent volumes. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-547-97044-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D.
Breakout kid barber J.D. embraces a summer of opportunity.
Readers met J.D. Jones just as he took his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, by storm, winning himself community acclaim and a chair at the revered Hart and Sons barbershop in series opener J.D. and the Great Barber Battle(2021). What’s next for the haircut prodigy? School’s just getting out, and there’s so much life happening outside—if only one can escape home learning with the grandparents. J.D.’s sister, Vanessa, brings along multitalented mutual friend Jessyka to share an ambitious challenge: “Let’s start a YouTube channel!” Can they get millions of views and wow the whole world? They are already amazing at haircuts and hairstyles—all they need is to learn how to make a great YouTube video. The story models strategies for scripting short videos reflecting the templates of viral YouTube hair tutorials, inviting readers to not only see the journey of the characters, but maybe also practice these skills at home. This book is bound to educate all about some of the most storied and cherished traditions within the Black community. Bringing in Vanessa is a great touch to extend the series across gender, and hopefully she’ll get a chance to lead her own adventures. This book blends skill-building, entrepreneurship, and strong family values to give young Black children visions of what’s possible when they follow their passions and embrace their community.
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11155-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Kokila
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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