An intriguing premise for a kids’ book that fails to develop into a cohesive story.
In Metts’ SF novel for young readers,a young alien is shocked to learn about the history and daily lives of Earthlings.
Quentin Augustine from the planet Gliese has always been a curious sort. One day, while looking at books at the local library near his home, he discovers a thick tome titled Earthlings by an author named Randolph Reed Stewart. As he reads, he’s puzzled by its description of Earth’s human inhabitants (“Each and every one of them has a lot of questions, but they do not look for the answers”), and shocked to find they still make war with one another. After he heads home, he announces to his parents his desire to travel to another planet; he plans to go to Earth and engage in his own anthropology project to better understand its alien species. His father, who read the same book and harbored a similar desire in his youth, decides to explain the true nature of Earthlings to his son. Metts’ work begins as a promising exploration of Earth from an alien perspective. However, it ultimately devolves into conversations, ostensibly aimed to instruct the novel’s young readers, that often come across as overly didactic and explanatory. While exploring important themes, such as the spread of information, inner- and outer-group conflicts, and the role of government in society, they often read more like lectures than natural conversation. This somewhat wooden style extends to other dialogue, which often starts with mundane greetings and does little to push scenes forward. Anthony’s sporadic full-color, realistic illustrations—four in total—help to round out the fictional world a bit, but they could have been better integrated into the story.
An intriguing premise for a kids’ book that fails to develop into a cohesive story.Pub Date: April 30, 2023
ISBN: 9781736128428
Page Count: 118
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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