This zany romp through venture capitalism and self-promotion self-identifies as a story “that kids will love”—but readers...
Industry juggernaut Patterson invents this fanciful origin story for his kid-lit imprint.
Jimmy, the adult author–cum–child narrator, believes that kids should write books for other kids. Mixing fantasy with Rand-ian can-do, Jimmy explains “how an ordinary kid like me got his own publishing company.” Yard sales, an encouraging librarian who seems calibrated to pander to other encouraging librarians, and eccentric “bazillionaires” help Jimmy turn his dream into an outlandish reality. Despite continually proclaiming the superiority of books “by kids/for kids,” Patterson name-drops some 38 other adult-authored titles, with literary references peppered throughout. Multiple Patterson-created characters appear as well, compiled at the end in an easy-to-shop list. For example, Jamie Grimm of I Funny (2013) motivates Jimmy using a clichéd disability-inspiration trope, causing Jimmy to muse that Jamie “laughed and cracked jokes when he could’ve been sad and glum.” Black-and-white spot drawings illustrate the mostly white characters and situations. The message to “never, ever, ever give up!” on a dream is perfect for adults parroting that refrain to children without examining how Jimmy’s privileges are more instrumental in this imagining than his persistence.
This zany romp through venture capitalism and self-promotion self-identifies as a story “that kids will love”—but readers will be better served by any of the titles named throughout. (Fiction 7-10)Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-316-43146-0
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson/Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2017
An uncomplicated opener, with some funny bits and a clear but not heavy agenda.
Hank Zipzer, poster boy for dyslexic middle graders everywhere, stars in a new prequel series highlighting second-grade trials and triumphs.
Hank’s hopes of playing Aqua Fly, a comic-book character, in the upcoming class play founder when, despite plenty of coaching and preparation, he freezes up during tryouts. He is not particularly comforted when his sympathetic teacher adds a nonspeaking role as a bookmark to the play just for him. Following the pattern laid down in his previous appearances as an older child, he gets plenty of help and support from understanding friends (including Ashley Wong, a new apartment-house neighbor). He even manages to turn lemons into lemonade with a quick bit of improv when Nick “the Tick” McKelty, the sneering classmate who took his preferred role, blanks on his lines during the performance. As the aforementioned bully not only chokes in the clutch and gets a demeaning nickname, but is fat, boastful and eats like a pig, the authors’ sensitivity is rather one-sided. Still, Hank has a winning way of bouncing back from adversity, and like the frequent black-and-white line-and-wash drawings, the typeface is designed with easy legibility in mind.
An uncomplicated opener, with some funny bits and a clear but not heavy agenda. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-448-48239-2
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Review Posted Online: Dec. 10, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25078-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
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