by Marianne Musgrove ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 28, 2010
Lucy is her own worst enemy. When she’s frustrated, her anger erupts in gigantic shrieks. She wakes up every day fully intending to be good, only to find herself in trouble again. Some of Lucy’s problems arise from misunderstandings, but she’s often hampered by her temper and lack of common sense. The stakes get higher when grouchy Tante Bep visits from Holland and threatens Lucy with the legend of Black Piet, who will take her away if she doesn’t behave. Throughout her many misadventures Lucy struggles to determine whether she’s a good person, which she would like to believe, or the bad person others seem to perceive. She even devises an experiment based on the theory that good eggs sink and bad eggs float that lands her in real danger. With a little help and a lot of thought Lucy adopts some techniques for defusing her tantrums. She's not Ramona Quimby, but Lucy tackles a tough issue with determination. Lucy's Dutch-Australian family is thoroughly modern (Dad's in charge of the cleaning) and provides loving, if exasperated, support for Lucy. (Dutch glossary, recipe, anger-management writing prompt) (Fiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9051-2
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2010
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by Suzy Kline ; illustrated by Amy Wummer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 27, 2018
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
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by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Sami Sweeten
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by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
BOOK REVIEW
by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
by Lulu Delacre ; illustrated by Lulu Delacre ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 17, 2019
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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by Lulu Delacre ; illustrated by Lulu Delacre
BOOK REVIEW
by Lulu Delacre ; illustrated by Lulu Delacre
BOOK REVIEW
by Lulu Delacre ; illustrated by Lulu Delacre
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