A funny exploration of schoolyard controversy and resolution.
In three brief episodes, Julie is convinced that class bully Danny has kidnapped her puppy; her athletic cousin, Effie, thinks Julie wants her to lose an important race; and Effie befriends her gregarious rival, Donna.
With Mom busy caring for Julie’s twin baby brothers and Dad nearly always on business trips, she’s left on her own to figure out what might have become of Shakshuka. Since, in a fit of angry frustration, she accused Danny of throwing a potted plant at her (which she actually threw at him), he has every reason to want revenge. Surely that’s the reason the puppy is missing and not that, with her neglect contributing, Shakshuka just wandered away. When that puzzle is solved with some help from a friend, Julie next has to deal with her strong-minded school principal, who isn’t happy that someone is giving quiet Effie encouraging but flashy gifts. When everyone blames Julie, she must figure out who’s really behind the scheme. Finally, Effie befriends her popular rival, leaving Julie quite jealous. Related in Julie’s often funny, frequently self-centered first person, this Israeli import (originally published as three separate titles) depicts seemingly white grade schoolers in more-or-less familiar situations, navigating the complex waters of early childhood. That reforming bully Danny is fully dimensional is both unusual and welcome.
A funny exploration of schoolyard controversy and resolution. (Fiction. 7-10)Pub Date: May 23, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-399-55020-1
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 13, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2017
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
Another winner from Mills, equally well suited to reading aloud and independent reading.
When Franklin School principal Mr. Boone announces a pet-show fundraiser, white third-grader Cody—whose lack of skill and interest in academics is matched by keen enthusiasm for and knowledge of animals—discovers his time to shine.
As with other books in this series, the children and adults are believable and well-rounded. Even the dialogue is natural—no small feat for a text easily accessible to intermediate readers. Character growth occurs, organically and believably. Students occasionally, humorously, show annoyance with teachers: “He made mad squinty eyes at Mrs. Molina, which fortunately she didn’t see.” Readers will be kept entertained by Cody’s various problems and the eventual solutions. His problems include needing to raise $10 to enter one of his nine pets in the show (he really wants to enter all of them), his troublesome dog Angus—“a dog who ate homework—actually, who ate everything and then threw up afterward”—struggles with homework, and grappling with his best friend’s apparently uncaring behavior toward a squirrel. Serious values and issues are explored with a light touch. The cheery pencil illustrations show the school’s racially diverse population as well as the memorable image of Mr. Boone wearing an elephant costume. A minor oddity: why does a child so immersed in animal facts call his male chicken a rooster but his female chickens chickens?
Another winner from Mills, equally well suited to reading aloud and independent reading. (Fiction. 7-10)Pub Date: June 14, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-374-30223-8
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: March 15, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2016
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