Runs off the rails at the end, but even nongamers will appreciate this unofficial spinoff’s “achievement.” (Graphic/fantasy...
Despite, not because of, carefully pre-laid plans, Gerald Creeper survives his first month of nights at Mob Middle School in this novel based on “Minecraft.”
Following a well-laid course but cast entirely with the popular video game’s “mobs,” the porkchop-loving young Creeper’s day-to-day narrative—presented in a “hand-printed” type on ruled paper with lots of appropriately blocky line drawings—charts a rapid downward spiral. Along with acquiring, thanks to his Evil Twin, Chloe, the humiliating (if accurate: he has psoriasis) nickname “Itchy” on the first day, Gerald struggles not to explode (as Creepers do) while being bullied by skeletons and navigating rocky new friendships with decidedly uncool classmates Sam Slime and Ziggy the zombie. On the other hand, a genealogy assignment gives him grounds for taking pride in his Creeper ancestors, and he finds worthy ways to mend fences with his friends by month’s end. Less worthily, he finally explodes all over the skeleton who has been harassing him and Chloe. Not only does the bully then lay off (as if), but Gerald actually earns approving nods from his parents, because “being a pacifist doesn’t mean that you choose peace ALL the time.”
Runs off the rails at the end, but even nongamers will appreciate this unofficial spinoff’s “achievement.” (Graphic/fantasy hybrid. 8-10)Pub Date: March 7, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5107-1814-2
Page Count: 180
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 20, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2017
A bit disjointed and episodic, but Tristan is a likable companion.
Tristan’s family has always loved living in New York City, but all that is about to change.
Dad announces that they are moving to a dilapidated, purple house on a hill on the outskirts of the very small town of Petersville in upstate New York. Baby sister Zoe is frightened and confused. Jeanine, two years younger than Tristan and a math genius in gifted and talented classes, is appalled and worried about her educational prospects. Tristan is devastated, for he is a city kid through and through. Because they won’t be starting school for several months, their parents tell Jeanine and Tristan they must complete a project. Jeanine selects a complicated scientific and mathematical study that allows her to remain uninvolved with people. Tristan, who loves to cook, like his chef mom, decides to start a business making and selling the supposedly mind-blowing chocolate-cream doughnuts once famous in Petersville but now no longer made. His business plan leads to adventures, new friends, and a sense of acceptance. Tristan is a charmer; he’s earnest, loving, wistful, and practical, and he narrates his own tale without guile. But he is the only character so well defined—next to him, the supporting cast feels flat. The family is described as Jewish early on, but their Judaism is kept well to the background; the people of Petersville are white by default.
A bit disjointed and episodic, but Tristan is a likable companion. (recipes, business plan, acknowledgements) (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: April 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4926-5541-1
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Gentle, encouraging, witty fantasy that may soothe readers suffering from climate anxiety.
Children with magical talking steam trains are thrilled by their clever new plan to rescue endangered animals.
Eleven-year-old Kate absolutely adores her secret job—helping animals in need by using the magical locomotive that was a gift from her billionaire wizard uncle. Kate loves riding the Silver Arrow with Uncle Herbert; her brother, Tom; and the talking animals they escort to safe places. But now Uncle Herbert is missing, 9-year-old Tom seems more interested in hapkido than their supernatural train, and Kate’s struggling socially and academically thanks to her eco-anxiety. No matter how many animals she helps, no matter how many adults proclaim that climate change is a critical issue, the environment keeps getting worse. One night Kate discovers another train driving on the magical railroad: The Golden Swift is conducted by her classmate Jag, who thinks rescuing stranded creatures isn’t sufficiently radical. When Kate joins him, she feels more inspired and more righteous than ever before. This time, she’s actually making the world better! Kate’s unhappy discoveries of unintended consequences and the moral complexities of her activism are softened by humor. The snarky banter of the talking locomotive is an understated delight, as is the train constructed with, among others, candy and ice cream cars, an invisible car, and a dojo car. Kate and Tom are White; Jag is described as having dark skin and black hair and possibly being Indian. Charming illustrations enhance the text.
Gentle, encouraging, witty fantasy that may soothe readers suffering from climate anxiety. (Fantasy. 8-10)Pub Date: May 3, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-28354-0
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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