One can almost imagine a modern-day minstrel singing the poetic prelude that recounts Kelly Ray’s heroin addiction and negligence, which almost led to her baby sister’s death, and that suggests, “This, if not quite a fairy tale. This, Reader, is a love story.” This day—and one night—of Kelly, now 19, drug-free for two years, and a talk-show assistant, begins with her trying to rectify her aunt/caretaker and radio talk-show diva of Talk Now, Kit Carpenter’s botched interview with singing sensation Simone Sanchez. Posing as a delivery girl, Kelly makes her way to Sanchez’s penthouse, but security is extremely tight, as Dakota City, Minnesota, hosts a global conference on the war-torn European country Lakveria. This opportunity leads to a propitious meeting with Prince Tomas Teronovich, heir apparent to Lakveria, and outwitting his bodyguards, in turn, leads to a whirlwind night for both young adults. Poring over historic maps, dining on Thai food, attending a Judy Garland sing-along festival, and watching the sunrise, the adventure culminates in an effort to bring attention to the horrors in Lakveria. While Kelly’s plan from the beginning is to lure Tom into Kit’s talk-show lair, neither teen expects the night to be a life-changing event that lets them open their hearts to love and battle their demons. And neither Kelly, who’s lived all her life in Dakota City, and Tom, Paris-born, Texas-raised, and Britain-educated, would have imagined that their lives are so similar. Qualey (Close to a Killer, 1999, etc.) proves once again that strong characterization is her forte. Her gentle blend of political intrigue and bittersweet romance will leave readers believing that one night really can make a difference. Kelly’s final advice to Tom is “Be good at what you do,” and Qualey certainly has. (Fiction. YA)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8037-2602-3
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Somberly beautiful.
A girl goes in search of her missing sister and discovers a strange hidden world of dreams.
Corin, who’s 18 and dark-skinned, strives to protect her 12-year-old sister, Elly. But life as a thief is full of struggle, poverty, and loss, even without Corin’s avoidance of other relationships. Elly clings to the promise of fairy tales, like the one that says a princess lies sleeping in an underground castle after pricking her finger on a spindle. After the sisters fight and Elly runs off, Corin searches for her in Gyldan’s old network of tunnels—and finds the tale is true: Cursed Princess Amelia, golden-haired, with eyes like “sea glass” and porcelain skin, lies asleep, surrounded by flowers. Corin enters the princess’ dreamworld—the place “where your subconscious desires come to life.” She meets Briar Rose, Amelia’s alter ego, who experienced her share of sadness and wanted to fall asleep. Also in the dreamworld is green-skinned Malicine, the nonbinary demon who, despite having placed the curse of eternal slumber on Amelia, is mostly friendly. All three are running from things they can’t face, though the dreamworld may not give them a choice. Pham’s debut, a Sapphic reimagining of “Sleeping Beauty,” explores mental health and asks a lot of readers as it seesaws between emotional confrontations, time jumps, and scenes where one character inhabits the memories of another, all of which demand intense engagement. Still, the ending is earned as well as positive.
Somberly beautiful. (content note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
ISBN: 9798217113026
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Kokila
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2026 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.
