An often heartwarming story that may appeal most to slightly older readers.
A small dog with a loving heart changes the lives of those she meets in Pinsel’s debut middle-grade novel.
One weekend in October 2003, 11-year-old humans Karli Paul, Adam Russell, Jessie Burton, and Christie O’Shay—otherwise known as the Turtles Crossing Gang, after the fictional town of Turtles Crossing, Louisiana—head out to find a missing dachshund who’d been spotted in the area. When they track her down at the edge of mean old Hank Stevens’ property, they find the dog has just given birth to a litter of puppies. Hank is furious about the animals being there, so the children sneak the canine family out of his yard and take them to Jessie’s house to care for them. This sets them on a journey that revolves around the smallest pup of the litter: a dachshund mix who’s eventually known as Kazi. Her story starts with her having trouble nursing and later encompasses Mardi Gras celebrations, Hurricane Katrina, and international travel to the city of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The narration initially focuses on the four kids and their experiences with the new puppies as they grow. However, a shift partway through to follow Karli’s mom, Jacquie—combined with an emphasis on more adult-related struggles—may have the effect of losing some younger readers. Some moments of stilted dialogue (“ ‘It’s like a miracle that we found ’em and got ’em out of there, ’specially before ole Hank saw any of us!’ Adam elaborated”) and repeated information make the story lag at times. Still, there are plenty of experiences that kids of all ages may find relatable; for example, Christie’s father is in the Army and deployed overseas, and Adam’s uncle shows up suddenly to stay with his family while he looks for a new job. However, Kazi remains the heart of the story throughout.
An often heartwarming story that may appeal most to slightly older readers.Pub Date: Dec. 5, 2022
ISBN: 9781637552513
Page Count: 232
Publisher: Mascot Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
BOOK REVIEW
Charming, poignant, and thoughtfully woven.
An aspiring scientist and a budding artist become friends and help each other with dream projects.
Unfolding in mid-1980s Sacramento, California, this story stars 12-year-olds Rosalind and Benjamin as first-person narrators in alternating chapters. Ro’s father, a fellow space buff, was killed by a drunk driver; the rocket they were working on together lies unfinished in her closet. As for Benji, not only has his best friend, Amir, moved away, but the comic book holding the clue for locating his dad is also missing. Along with their profound personal losses, the protagonists share a fixation with the universe’s intriguing potential: Ro decides to complete the rocket and hopes to launch mementos of her father into outer space while Benji’s conviction that aliens and UFOs are real compels his imagination and creativity as an artist. An accident in science class triggers a chain of events forcing Benji and Ro, who is new to the school, to interact and unintentionally learn each other’s secrets. They resolve to find Benji’s dad—a famous comic-book artist—and partner to finish Ro’s rocket for the science fair. Together, they overcome technical, scheduling, and geographical challenges. Readers will be drawn in by amusing and fantastical elements in the comic book theme, high emotional stakes that arouse sympathy, and well-drawn character development as the protagonists navigate life lessons around grief, patience, self-advocacy, and standing up for others. Ro is biracial (Chinese/White); Benji is White.
Charming, poignant, and thoughtfully woven. (Fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Jan. 12, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-06-300888-5
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© 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.
