Here’s hoping new books will arrive before the current intended audience moves on to larger tomes.
A resilient and self-reliant young princess must save her kingdom from nefarious forces in the first installment of a new chapter-book series.
Princess Jesireen’s parents, King Willem and Queen Eris of East Waveborn, and her older sister, Princess Alex, have been called away, leaving Jes in the care of a stranger called Lady Umber. If “anything comes up” while the king and queen are away, this stern, sharp-featured woman will rule as regent. When Jes discovers Lady Umber’s plot to assassinate the royal family, the intrepid 9-year-old springs into action. She can’t allow this evil woman to control her country! As Jes meets with royal children from the other Waveborn islands, she finds out the other kings and queens are dead and have been replaced with regents—all of whom, although their names differ, look and sound like Lady Umber. Who’s behind this plan to take over the islands? A short-tempered, physically active princess in boy’s clothing; a woman pirate–turned-housekeeper; a just and democratic monarchy; and energy produced by volcanic steam—this ambitious chapter book packs a punch. The character development and neatly structured world with a fleshed-out history are accompanied by lots of action and humor. Most characters, including Jes, her family, and Lady Umber, are assumed white; Jes’ booby-trap–happy fellow royal, Princess Amalia, has brown skin, as does Jes’ parents’ airship captain.
Here’s hoping new books will arrive before the current intended audience moves on to larger tomes. (Fantasy. 6-10)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-944821-32-6
Page Count: 96
Publisher: CBAY
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
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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