Thoughtfully explores ambition, compassion, and the rewards of internal growth.
A fourth grader discovers the difference between tangible awards and rewards of the heart.
Gracie Wei’s parents proudly display evidence of the family’s accomplishments on the “Wei Special Wall,” from big sister Anastasia’s karate medals to a picture marking baby brother Felix’s successful potty training. Gracie alone has nothing adorning the wall, but Grapevine Elementary’s upcoming spelling bee offers an opportunity for a trophy—and the chance to make a big speech at a special dinner, per family tradition. On the big day, her chief competitor, Elena, abruptly flees the stage; Gracie follows and finds her rival undone by the fear of failure. Though Gracie jeopardizes her own chances at the trophy, she realizes that perhaps winning isn’t everything. Her initial single-minded drive to earn visible proof of her own worth and the pressure she places on herself will strike a chord with young readers, and her peppy, goal-driven voice keeps the pace brisk. A supporting cast features friends of different races and abilities. Tan’s illustrations, warmly rendered in pencil and finished digitally, convey Gracie’s determination and disappointment. A caring family, loyal pals, and an observant teacher provide examples of the support systems that help children navigate failure. Gracie is biracial; her mother is of German descent, while her father emigrated from China.
Thoughtfully explores ambition, compassion, and the rewards of internal growth. (Chapter book. 7-10)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780593812969
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode.
A long-running series reaches its closing chapters.
Having, as Kline notes in her warm valedictory acknowledgements, taken 30 years to get through second and third grade, Harry Spooger is overdue to move on—but not just into fourth grade, it turns out, as his family is moving to another town as soon as the school year ends. The news leaves his best friend, narrator “Dougo,” devastated…particularly as Harry doesn’t seem all that fussed about it. With series fans in mind, the author takes Harry through a sort of last-day-of-school farewell tour. From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. Of course, Harry isn’t as blasé about the move as he pretends, and eyes aren’t exactly dry when he departs. But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits. Finished illustrations not seen.
A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: Nov. 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-451-47963-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Sept. 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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