by Jonathan W. Stokes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 14, 2017
Been there, done that.
Pompous, pedantic, school-blazer–sporting Addison Cooke is off to the Gobi Desert.
Addison’s archaeologist aunt and uncle are going on a dig in China, but their colleague has something else in mind: find the secret hoard of Genghis Khan. When his aunt and uncle are kidnapped by a Chinese gang, it’s up to the Gershwin-loving, 13-year-old white boy and his entourage to save them. The story is bloated with what seems like every adventure trope and plot device in existence, including colonizing attitudes, a “city of the dead,” a trail of cryptic clues leading to an ancient treasure hidden deep beneath a cave, a soothsaying shaman (who speaks the “sacred language” of English), a legacy to save the world, and the pièce de résistance: a prophecy involving the hero’s death. Constant reference to the group as Addison’s “team” implies hierarchy: a white boy in charge of a white girl and two male ethnic others. There’s Addison’s sister, Molly, and his best friends, Eddie Chang, a feminized Chinese boy afraid of his own shadow, and Indian Raj Bhandari, a camo-wearing survival expert. The third-person narrative is from bumptious Addison’s viewpoint, with some miscellaneous hopping into other characters’ heads for a beat or two. Despite fast-paced action scenes dominating the nearly 500 pages, it’s still a slog.
Been there, done that. (Adventure. 8-13)Pub Date: Nov. 14, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-399-17378-3
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Sept. 17, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2017
Share your opinion of this book
More by Jonathan W. Stokes
BOOK REVIEW
by Jonathan W. Stokes ; illustrated by Xavier Bonet
BOOK REVIEW
by Jonathan W. Stokes ; illustrated by David Sossella
BOOK REVIEW
by Jonathan W. Stokes ; illustrated by David Sossella
by J. Torres ; illustrated by David Namisato ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 5, 2021
An emotional, much-needed historical graphic novel.
Sandy and his family, Japanese Canadians, experience hatred and incarceration during World War II.
Sandy Saito loves baseball, and the Vancouver Asahi ballplayers are his heroes. But when they lose in the 1941 semifinals, Sandy’s dad calls it a bad omen. Sure enough, in December 1941, Japan bombs Pearl Harbor in the U.S. The Canadian government begins to ban Japanese people from certain areas, moving them to “dormitories” and setting a curfew. Sandy wants to spend time with his father, but as a doctor, his dad is busy, often sneaking out past curfew to work. One night Papa is taken to “where he [is] needed most,” and the family is forced into an internment camp. Life at the camp isn’t easy, and even with some of the Asahi players playing ball there, it just isn’t the same. Trying to understand and find joy again, Sandy struggles with his new reality and relationship with his father. Based on the true experiences of Japanese Canadians and the Vancouver Asahi team, this graphic novel is a glimpse of how their lives were affected by WWII. The end is a bit abrupt, but it’s still an inspiring and sweet look at how baseball helped them through hardship. The illustrations are all in a sepia tone, giving it an antique look and conveying the emotions and struggles. None of the illustrations of their experiences are overly graphic, making it a good introduction to this upsetting topic for middle-grade readers.
An emotional, much-needed historical graphic novel. (afterword, further resources) (Graphic historical fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5253-0334-0
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
Share your opinion of this book
More by J. Torres
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by J. Torres ; illustrated by Aurélie Grand
BOOK REVIEW
by Amy McCulloch ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2020
A solid series starter for tinkerers and adventurers alike.
Even robot cats have a mind of their own.
All 12-year-old Canadian Lacey Chu’s ever wanted was to become a companioneer like her idol, Monica Chan, co-founder of the largest tech firm in North America, Moncha Corp., and mastermind behind the baku. Bakus, “robotic pets with all the features of a smartphone,” revolutionized society and how people interact with technology. As a companioneer, Lacey could work on bakus: designing, innovating, and building. When she receives a grant rejection from Profectus Academy of Science and Technology, a school that guarantees employment at Moncha Corp., she’s devastated. A happenstance salvaging of a mangled cat baku might just change the game. Suddenly, Lacey’s got an in with Profectus and is one step closer to her dream. Jinx, however, is not quite like the other bakus—he’s a wild cat that does things without commands. Together with Jinx, Lacey will have to navigate competitive classmates and unsettling corporate secrets. McCulloch effectively strikes a balance between worldbuilding and action. High-stakes baku battles demonstrate the emotional bond between (robotic) pet and owner. Readers will also connect to the relationships the Asian girl forges with her diverse classmates, including a rivalry with Carter (a white boy who’s the son of Moncha’s other co-founder, Eric Smith), a burgeoning crush on student Tobias, who’s black, and evolving friendships new and old. While some mysteries are solved, a cliffhanger ending raises even more for the next installment.
A solid series starter for tinkerers and adventurers alike. (Science fiction. 8-13)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4926-8374-2
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Review Posted Online: Aug. 25, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2019
Share your opinion of this book
More by Amy McCulloch
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.