An effective appeal to child readers as the ones who can stop the continuum of violence.
Through honest photographs and prose Matthews captures what it is like to be a child of war, as well as a photojournalist working in such ravaged countries.
Each section, structured around the general themes of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (home, family, health, work, education and play), carries readers into conflict zones across the globe. Matthews explains that she became a photographer because she wanted to change the world. “Unfortunately, taking pictures rarely changes anything, but it has given me a way to communicate. I can tell people’s stories….” Readers glimpse refugee tents made of plastic sheeting amid deplorable conditions. Children forced to find work at a young age are shown gathering wood or weaving carpets. Difficult subjects such as arranged marriages to settle disputes, “lost” children who are separated from their families and disfiguring injuries are not ignored. The photographs could be much, much more upsetting—there is no graphic violence shown—but their harrowing nature certainly hits home. The scrapbooklike format attempts a relaxed intimacy, but it distracts from the whole. The text, though mostly in Matthews’ voice, not stories direct from the children, nevertheless provides a valuable and unusual behind-the-camera perspective.
An effective appeal to child readers as the ones who can stop the continuum of violence. (map, further information, websites, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 14, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6942-3
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2014
A story that sings to the soul.
Elio is in love for the first time—and he has no idea what to do about it.
Eighth grader Elio Solis is only 13, but he’s met the girl of his dreams. His feelings for Camelia are so profound that he sees things in ultraviolet: “Whoever heard of having your whole vision / change because you met some girl?” Growing up in East Oakland, California, Elio is trying to navigate social media, friendships, his family’s Mexican culture, and his changing body—all part of his quest to understand what it means to be a good boy who will grow into a good man. What does that look like when your father takes you to cockfights and your mother warns you about toxic masculinity? Most of all, how do you handle the crushing blows of a first heartbreak? Written in Salazar’s stunning and highly accessible verse, with Spanish words contextually woven in and easily understood by non-Spanish speakers, this novel stands out for the thoughtful way it expresses a young boy’s perspective as it discusses topics such as masculinity and consent. Elio and his dad join Brothers Rising, a group started by Fernando, Elio’s best friend Paco’s dad, which offers them community and a framework for honest conversations about coming of age and masculinity, as well as a beautiful rendering of Indigenous Mexican rituals.
A story that sings to the soul. (Verse fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781338775655
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
Brainy seventh-grader Sam Lewis actually takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to let go of the idea that he and former best bud Morgan Sturtz can still be friends.
First, there's the agonizing wait for the fight Morgan has promised at recess. Sam has done something quite stupid, though readers don’t learn exactly what that is until well into his narrative. Chapters headed by the time of day describe a tedious social studies class, an epic cafeteria food fight ending with a salad-bowl blow to Sam’s head, a fire drill that turns out to be real and, finally, a solid right to Sam’s chin. Though the details are specific—and funny—the sad situation is not unusual. In middle school, Morgan has shot up physically and found his place on the football team; Sam, still short and skinny, stars at math. Six elementary school years together and an amazing day of shared video game mastery is not enough to sustain their friendship. New neighbor Chris Tripadero fans the flames. This realistic picture of early teen life includes at least one aware teacher who counsels patience and advises Sam that he won’t be there forever. Readers will probably appreciate the message. Occasional hand-lettered black-and-white sketches add to the appeal of this satisfying school story. (Fiction. 10-13)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-4500-0
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Oct. 23, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2012
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