by Mark Holtzen ; illustrated by John Skewes ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2016
Sweet and wistful nostalgia for a bygone era.
Huey frantically searches for his ticket to the big game at Sicks’ Stadium in Seattle, but he can’t find it anywhere. Will he miss the game?
In 1955, baseball fans in Seattle cheered for the minor league Rainiers. Olive-skinned Huey has his glove, cap, and shirt and is on his way to see that pennant-decision game, but he needs to find his ticket. He races through his neighborhood, hearing snippets of the pre-game show and the first innings on all the radios as he visits the places where he might have lost the ticket. His neighbors and shopkeepers—representing a variety of ethnic groups—are invariably friendly and encouraging, but none of them has seen the missing ticket. Of course he discovers that he has had it all along, hidden in his hat, and gets to the game by the fourth inning. There, he has a grand time with his neighbors and friends as they watch the Rainiers win the pennant. Holtzen recalls the sights and sounds of 1950s-era Seattle, naming streets and bus routes, shops and shopkeepers, radio announcer and players. Huey is a delightful little baseball lover who remains mostly cheerful and hopeful throughout his ordeal. Skewes’ bright, retro-flavored cartoons complement the text, vividly capturing the time and place as well as Huey’s changing emotions.
Sweet and wistful nostalgia for a bygone era. (Picture book. 5-9)Pub Date: April 12, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-63217-003-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2016
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BOOK REVIEW
by Mark Holtzen
by Maribeth Boelts & illustrated by Lauren Castillo ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2012
Boelts’ quiet tale celebrates the perseverance of a young girl as she attempts to achieve her goals
Soccer is a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy for Sierra.
Sierra struggles with conflicting emotions about her new soccer team. Traveling out of the city, Sierra now plays on soccer fields unlike the one near the apartment where she lives with her aunt, which is exciting. However, being on this new team has some drawbacks. With most games on Saturdays—which is her aunt’s busiest day at the restaurant—Sierra is sad to be the only player without family members to cheer for her during games. Yet, with a little ingenuity, Sierra discovers a solution to her dilemma. Boelts focuses on the relationship between Sierra and her aunt, deftly portraying Sierra’s maturity and fortitude as she attempts to resolve the situation. Sierra, while dedicated to her sport, recognizes the importance and inspiring effect of her aunt’s support and encouragement. Castillo’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations of the city’s landscapes feature towering buildings in an austere setting. In contrast, drawings of Sierra’s home and her aunt’s workplace depict warm, cozy scenes. Scenes with the dark-skinned, crinkly-haired auntie and niece emphasize the close, nurturing relationship. Action-filled paintings of the soccer games capture the fast-paced excitement of the game.
Boelts’ quiet tale celebrates the perseverance of a young girl as she attempts to achieve her goals . (Picture book. 5-9)Pub Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4616-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: March 6, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2012
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by Maribeth Boelts ; illustrated by Daniel Duncan
BOOK REVIEW
by Maribeth Boelts ; illustrated by Angela Dominguez
BOOK REVIEW
by Maribeth Boelts ; illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
by Carmen Bogan ; illustrated by Floyd Cooper ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 7, 2017
Combining the amazement offered by the natural world with an unconventional and poignant dose of social commentary, this...
Can-never-sit-still Rodney really wants to be outside, but it seems the world conspires against his urges—but now, Rodney finally makes it outside, “more outside than [he’s] ever been before.”
This book neatly nestles itself among recent trends of growing engagement with African-American populations within our national parks, as well as offering a measured response to the ways black boys may struggle with school cultures that enforce seated obedience over genuine curiosity. We all know Rodney. He’s a smart kid who follows his innate impulses, well enough to further his interest in the wonders of the world. The text allows readers to decide the thorny question of whether Rodney is worthy of an ADHD diagnosis. Because what happens when Rodney finally makes it outside on a class field trip to a park that puts him directly in contact with nature? He’s high, he’s low, and he’s everywhere in between as his natural impulses to explore and discover lead to a calm, “majestic” conclusion. Cooper’s signature style captures Rodney’s fidgetiness indoors and his growing excitement as the school bus rumbles out of town. In the park, a sequence of spectacular double-page sequences places Rodney within the park’s many wonders, and readers can see clearly how this immersion in nature allows the boy to be exactly himself.
Combining the amazement offered by the natural world with an unconventional and poignant dose of social commentary, this story gives more to its readers than what meets the eye. (Picture book. 5-9)Pub Date: Aug. 7, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-930238-73-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Yosemite Conservancy
Review Posted Online: April 30, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2017
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