Interesting in its depiction of an Israeli archaeological site, but side issues disturb.
Dabi loves digging and dirt and mud.
While visiting Israel with her parents, she spends her time digging for worms, making shapes from mud, and enjoying the mess. Ima and Abba insist that she cease her tomboy ways and be more ladylike. But her aunt is more understanding. Doda Gili calls Dabi an “adventure girl” and has a wonderful plan for her. Gili takes Dabi to join an archaeological dig headed by a woman, who gives Dabi a trowel and directs her to fill up buckets with soil. When the soil is sifted, an ancient gold ring is found. Since all artifacts belong to the state, she can’t keep it, but Dabi is more than satisfied with her adventure. Her parents see only the dirt until Gili tells them of her find and demands that they show pride in her accomplishment, though it seems to take official recognition and a certificate to seal the deal. Dabi is delightfully curious and strong-willed, but her need for Gili’s intervention as a buffer to counter her parents’ gender stereotyping is disappointing. Large-scale, detailed portraits bring the characters, all pale skinned and Jewish, to life and show every emotion, especially at picture-book–viewing distance. Ima’s and Abba’s body language is unsubtle and exaggerated; they appear angry and almost frightening, not smiling until Dabi receives the award. Readers might find the family dynamics quite uncomfortable, perhaps overshadowing what is meant to be an affirmation of Dabi’s skills and determination.
Interesting in its depiction of an Israeli archaeological site, but side issues disturb. (glossary, author’s note) (Picture book. 8-10)Pub Date: May 10, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7336865-0-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Alazar Press
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
Dizzyingly silly.
The famous superhero returns to fight another villain with all the trademark wit and humor the series is known for.
Despite the title, Captain Underpants is bizarrely absent from most of this adventure. His school-age companions, George and Harold, maintain most of the spotlight. The creative chums fool around with time travel and several wacky inventions before coming upon the evil Turbo Toilet 2000, making its return for vengeance after sitting out a few of the previous books. When the good Captain shows up to save the day, he brings with him dynamic action and wordplay that meet the series’ standards. The Captain Underpants saga maintains its charm even into this, the 11th volume. The epic is filled to the brim with sight gags, toilet humor, flip-o-ramas and anarchic glee. Holding all this nonsense together is the author’s good-natured sense of harmless fun. The humor is never gross or over-the-top, just loud and innocuous. Adults may roll their eyes here and there, but youngsters will eat this up just as quickly as they devoured every other Underpants episode.
Dizzyingly silly. (Humor. 8-10)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-50490-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014
Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another neighbor you have to meet!
Ryan Hart is navigating the fourth grade and all its challenges with determination.
Her mom named her Ryan because it means “king,” and she wanted Ryan to feel powerful every time she heard her name; Ryan knows it means she is a leader. So when changes occur or disaster strikes, budding chef Ryan does her best to find the positive and “make sunshine.” When her dad is laid off from the post office, the family must make adjustments that include moving into a smaller house, selling their car, and changing how they shop for groceries. But Ryan gets to stay at Vernon Elementary, and her mom still finds a way to get her the ingredients she needs to practice new recipes. Her older brother, Ray, can be bossy, but he finds little ways to support her, especially when she is down—as does the whole family. Each episodic chapter confronts Ryan with a situation; intermittently funny, frustrating, and touching, they should be familiar and accessible to readers, as when Ryan fumbles her Easter speech despite careful practice. Ryan, her family, and friends are Black, and Watson continues to bring visibility to both Portland, Oregon, generally and its Black community specifically, making another wonderful contribution that allows Black readers to see themselves and all readers to find a character they can love.
Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another neighbor you have to meet! (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: April 28, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5476-0056-4
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
