Love, adventure, and enchantment artfully cast their spell.
A favorite Mozart opera presented in a retelling by a master of the picture book who is also an opera lover.
Nobles fall in love, and commoners fall in love. A Queen of the Night and a king of the day rule their kingdoms. Snakes and lions appear, as do Wise Boys and Temple Priests. Characters face trials and tribulations in order to prove their worthiness. Folk are not necessarily what they first appear to be. The titular instrument, bells, and horns sound their beautiful notes. And at the conclusion of this frequently performed and very melodic musical comedy, “Beauty and wisdom are crowned!” In this labor of love, Raschka begins by (thank goodness) providing a cast of characters. Each scene of the two acts is introduced in regular typeface while graphic panels in fluid watercolors, replete with hand-lettered conversation bubbles, provide close-ups of the quickly moving action. The performers vary in color from stark white to green to midnight blue. Raschka’s art, in vibrant yellows, blues, and greens, is more than an accompaniment, turning his staging into a stellar performance of dialogue and scenic design. This last opera composed by Mozart, really a singspiel, is often presented with colorful costumes and a host of puppets. Reading this title and listening to the music are the perfect introduction to an enjoyable family outing.
Love, adventure, and enchantment artfully cast their spell. (Picture book. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4814-4902-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Richard Jackson/Atheneum
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2019
A stellar collaboration that introduces an important and intriguing individual to today’s readers.
Two bestselling authors imagine the boyhood of the man who became the legendary boxing icon Muhammad Ali.
Cassius was a spirited child growing up in segregated Louisville, Kentucky. He had a loving home with his parents and younger brother, Rudy. Granddaddy Herman also was an important figure, imparting life lessons. His parents wanted him to succeed in school, but Cassius had difficulty reading and found more pleasure in playing and exploring outdoors. Early on, he and Rudy knew the restrictions of being African American, for example, encountering “Whites Only” signs at parks, but the brothers dreamed of fame like that enjoyed by Black boxer Joe Louis. Popular Cassius was especially close to Lucius “Lucky” Wakely; despite their academic differences, their deep connection remained after Lucky received a scholarship to a Catholic school. When Cassius wandered into the Columbia Boxing Gym, it seemed to be destiny, and he developed into a successful youth boxer. Told in two voices, with prose for the voice of Lucky and free verse for Cassius, the narrative provides readers with a multidimensional view of the early life of and influences on an important figure in sports and social change. Lucky’s observations give context while Cassius’ poetry encapsulates his drive, energy, and gift with words. Combined with dynamic illustrations by Anyabwile, the book captures the historical and social environment that produced Muhammad Ali.
A stellar collaboration that introduces an important and intriguing individual to today’s readers. (bibliography) (Biographical novel. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-316-49816-6
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson/Little, Brown and HMH Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
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
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