A splendid folktale that may appeal to fans of short stories and folklore.
A wealthy man discovers the consequences of selfishness and the possibility of redemption in a middle-grade fantasy inspired by Greek folktales.
Loukas, a considerate boy with a gift for music, lives on an island in the Aegean Sea. His father is a fisherman who teaches his son his trade. Loukas brings his wooden flute to play while they fish. One day, Loukas’ music catches the attention of a leopard snake who stops to listen to it. The nonvenomous snake shows its gratitude by leaving three gold coins as it slithers away. Loukas befriends the snake, whom he names Lambros, and the friendship leads to good fortune for his family. As an adult, Loukas marries a seamstress named Thera, with whom he has two children, Sophie and Petros. He has selfish desires, however, after he meets a malicious merchant, and he loses his family and fortune to the man. Bereft, Loukas embarks on a perilous journey to find the “celestial guardians,” Destiny, her son, Ilion, and her daughter, Luna, and to appeal to them for the return of his family. Manna, the author of The Orphan: A Cinderella Story From Greece (2011), tells a lyrical story of bravery and redemption anchored by a courageous and resilient protagonist. The fast-paced narrative centers on Loukas, whose character is shaped early by the dedication and kindness he shows to a snake who finds great pleasure and comfort in his music. The poignancy of their friendship makes his later descent into hubris and greed all the more tragic. His journey to find Destiny and her children takes a number of dangerous twists and turns as he encounters the mythical Keeper of the Forest; three bewitching sisters seeking true love; a giant begging for rain to end a drought; and two mountains looking for respect. Babisch’s haunting and evocative illustrations enhance the text. This is another winner from Manna, whose Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale (1997), written in collaboration with Christodoula Mitakidou and illustrated by Giselle Potter, was a New York Public Library Best Book for Children.
A splendid folktale that may appeal to fans of short stories and folklore.Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-68401-433-0
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Mascot Books
Review Posted Online: May 21, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A moving tale of baseball, magic, and former rivals who come together to solve a problem.
A middle schooler struggles to adjust after moving to an idyllic Massachusetts town.
Trish Das is at a crossroads. Not only is the 12-year-old unhappy that her family has moved yet again due to her mother’s cardiology career, she also has to try out for a new baseball team. The fact that one of her new teammates is a former archrival further complicates matters. Math prodigy Ben Messina went head-to-head against fellow math whiz Trish at last spring’s Math Puzzlers Championship. When Trish emerged victorious, Ben was stunned. The two get closer when the team’s mysterious pregame snacks start making everyone play better while also causing magical side effects during games. Equally surprising are the cryptic puzzle booklets Trish and Ben receive in the mail that lead them to even more wins. But as the puzzles get harder to solve, the risk of failing to do so increases. Alternating between Trish’s and Ben’s perspectives, LaRocca’s novel—a companion to 2019’s Midsummer’s Mayhem—is a Much Ado About Nothing homage that explores parental expectations, complicated friendships, and teamwork. The protagonists’ love of problem-solving shines through, and the puzzles themselves are clearly explained. As a third-generation Indian American, Trish also has moving conversations about the circumstances that led her grandparents to emigrate and how those decisions still impact their lives. Ben is implied White. Final illustrations not seen.
A moving tale of baseball, magic, and former rivals who come together to solve a problem. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: June 15, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4998-1101-8
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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