A quick-witted and amusing outer-space escapade.
In Horn’s debut children’s SF novel, a human third grader, adopted by aliens, has various adventures.
For young Eudora Jenkins, life aboard the spaceship Athenais a daily challenge to make mischief. During a class field trip, she seeks to fire the ship’s plasma cannons, perhaps the most important weapons in the entire space fleet. Her detailed plan includes the use of a hypersonic shocking device she invented, but its execution lands her in the brig and in trouble with her mother. Eudora and her conscientious older sister are human and were adopted at a young age by Wilma, a doglike alien from the planet Pox, and Max, from the planet Pow, who’s close to an octopus in appearance. Eudora’s next endeavor is to engineer the Athenato pass 10 on the HyperDrive-O-Meter, which has never been done before. However, she aspires to be an officer in the AstroFleet one day, and although her love of science and math are well suited for such a career, will her rebellious experiments keep her from her dreams? Horn’s fast-paced, space-themed drama will intrigue and entertain young readers. Eudora’s quirky but focused perspective allows curious kids to ponder the possibilities of life on a spaceship, and her authentic narration is quick and witty. The protagonist’s passion for knowledge is equaled by her energy and ambition, making her a strong role model. Shipman’s illustrations complement the story’s tone and ably portray its uncommon elements. The plot is lighthearted in its approach; however, as a result, Eudora faces few consequences for her pranks, and she seems to achieve her lofty goal a bit too easily. And although the swift pace will keep readers engaged, it leaves little room to explore Eudora’s thoughts about her relationship with her adoptive parents. Overall, this series starter leaves room for further character development and perhaps more serious adventures.
A quick-witted and amusing outer-space escapade.Pub Date: July 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73-667740-7
Page Count: 98
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
With plenty left to be resolved, the next entry will be eagerly sought after.
Drake has been selected by the king to serve as a Dragon Master, quite a change for an 8-year-old farmer boy.
The dragons are a secret, and the reason King Roland has them is a mystery, but what is clear is that the Dragon Stone has identified Drake as one of the rare few children who have a special connection with dragons and the ability to serve as a trainer. Drake’s dragon is a long brown creature with, at first, no particular talents that Drake can identify. He calls the dragon Worm. It isn’t long before Drake begins to realize he has a very strong connection with Worm and can share what seem to be his dragon’s thoughts. After one of the other Dragon Masters decides to illicitly take the dragons outside, disaster strikes. The cave they are passing through collapses, blocking the passageway, and then Worm’s special talent becomes evident. The first of a new series of early chapter books, this entry is sure to attract fans. Brief chapters, large print, lots of action, attractive illustrations in every spread, including a maplike panorama, an enviable protagonist—who wouldn’t want to be a Dragon Master?—all combine to make an entertaining read.
With plenty left to be resolved, the next entry will be eagerly sought after. (Fantasy. 7-10)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-64624-6
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Branches/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An effort as insubstantial as any spirit.
Eleven-year-old Maria Russo helps her charlatan mother hoodwink customers, but Maria has a spirited secret.
Maria’s mother, the psychic Madame Destine, cons widows out of their valuables with the assistance of their apartment building’s super, Mr. Fox. Madame Destine home-schools Maria, and because Destine is afraid of unwanted attention, she forbids Maria from talking to others. Maria is allowed to go to the library, where new librarian Ms. Madigan takes an interest in Maria that may cause her trouble. Meanwhile, Sebastian, Maria’s new upstairs neighbor, would like to be friends. All this interaction makes it hard for Maria to keep her secret: that she is visited by Edward, a spirit who tells her the actual secrets of Madame Destine’s clients via spirit writing. When Edward urges Maria to help Mrs. Fisher, Madame Destine’s most recent mark, Maria must overcome her shyness and her fear of her mother—helping Mrs. Fisher may be the key to the mysterious past Maria uncovers and a brighter future. Alas, picture-book–creator Ford’s middle-grade debut is a muddled, melodramatic mystery with something of an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feel: In addition to the premise, there’s a tragically dead father, a mysterious family tree, and the Beat poets. Sluggish pacing; stilted, unrealistic dialogue; cartoonishly stock characters; and unattractive, flat illustrations make this one to miss. Maria and Sebastian are both depicted with brown skin, hers lighter than his; the other principals appear to be white.
An effort as insubstantial as any spirit. (author’s note) (Paranormal mystery. 7-10)Pub Date: July 21, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-20567-4
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano/Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
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