A joyful celebration of navigating life’s changes and challenges.
In this third book of the series, Joy Applebloom, who’s now almost 11, remains positive during yet more transitions.
Returning to the U.K. to live with Granddad continues to bring new experiences. When Joy’s teacher goes on medical leave for a knee replacement, the new teacher, Mr. Suarez, surprises the class with his exuberance. Joy, who reads white, and best friend Benny, who’s Black, want to befriend new student Phoebe, but Joy worries that her efforts are coming across as annoying. The people in Joy’s inner circle have all sorts of new things going on in their lives—a new executive chef job for her dad, a new boyfriend for her sister (“and a new favorite word, which is PRIVACY”), a new love of gardening for Granddad, and new contact lenses for Benny to replace his glasses. To top it all off, Joy notices signs that her family might be moving again. Having put down roots, Joy is “quietly working on remembering the silver linings” of her old life, when she was home-schooled and traveled around to interesting new places. “Planet Joy,” as Claude terms it, is still as optimistic a place as ever; Joy still believes that life is “crammed full of upsides and silver linings and surprises.” This uplifting story explores bumps in the road without being patronizing. Joy’s comical and clever narration is delightful and is enhanced by charming illustrations.
A joyful celebration of navigating life’s changes and challenges. (Fiction. 8-11)Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781684649242
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Kane Miller
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Certain to elicit both gales of giggles and winces of sympathy (not to mention recognition) from young readers.
First volume of a planned three, this edited version of an ongoing online serial records a middle-school everykid’s triumphs and (more often) tribulations through the course of a school year.
Largely through his own fault, mishaps seem to plague Greg at every turn, from the minor freak-outs of finding himself permanently seated in class between two pierced stoners and then being saddled with his mom for a substitute teacher, to being forced to wrestle in gym with a weird classmate who has invited him to view his “secret freckle.” Presented in a mix of legible “hand-lettered” text and lots of simple cartoon illustrations with the punch lines often in dialogue balloons, Greg’s escapades, unwavering self-interest and sardonic commentary are a hoot and a half.
Certain to elicit both gales of giggles and winces of sympathy (not to mention recognition) from young readers. (Fiction. 9-11)Pub Date: April 1, 2007
ISBN: 0-8109-9313-9
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2007
SEEN & HEARD
PERSPECTIVES
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
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