by Martha Freeman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 15, 1998
A leaden comedy about a stereotypical family of snobs and a new member-by-marriage, a just as stereotypical self-made man—material ripe for and right out of TV sitcoms. Molly Knight’s elegant grandmother has only been widowed a year, so it’s a surprise when she remarries and brings her new husband to visit—in fact, Molly’s mother faints. Jimmy Barkenfalt, formerly a tailor, now owner of a chain of discount clothing stores, is amiable, but the Knights are shocked by his impact on Grandma, who is newly given to giggling and public displays of affection. To get rid of Jimmy, Molly stuffs his pillow with her cat Regina’s fur, to which he’s allergic. The Barkenfalts realize they’re not wanted; as they exit, Regina bolts up a tree. Jimmy bravely climbs the tree, getting scratched by the cat and almost having a heart attack. Despite that, Molly still dislikes Jimmy for breaking, in the process of the rescue, her cat’s tail (and dashing her hopes of exhibiting the cat). Freeman uses Jimmy’s speech to demonstrate his “lowly” origins ““Ya like to ‘a’ killed me, Little Missy, and I oughta throw y—outta here on your butt for it”” and then gives Molly a penchant for frequent use of oddly outdated slang, e.g., “holy moly,” “yuk-o,” “kerflooey,” and variations of “thousands of zillions.” (Fiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: Nov. 15, 1998
ISBN: 0-8234-1398-5
Page Count: 145
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1998
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by Martha Freeman ; illustrated by Marta Sevilla
by Julia Alvarez ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2001
Simple, bella, un regalo permenente: simple and beautiful, a gift that will stay.
Renowned Latin American writer Alvarez has created another story about cultural identity, but this time the primary character is 11-year-old Miguel Guzmán.
When Tía Lola arrives to help the family, Miguel and his hermana, Juanita, have just moved from New York City to Vermont with their recently divorced mother. The last thing Miguel wants, as he's trying to fit into a predominantly white community, is a flamboyant aunt who doesn't speak a word of English. Tía Lola, however, knows a language that defies words; she quickly charms and befriends all the neighbors. She can also cook exotic food, dance (anywhere, anytime), plan fun parties, and tell enchanting stories. Eventually, Tía Lola and the children swap English and Spanish ejercicios, but the true lesson is "mutual understanding." Peppered with Spanish words and phrases, Alvarez makes the reader as much a part of the "language" lessons as the characters. This story seamlessly weaves two culturaswhile letting each remain intact, just as Miguel is learning to do with his own life. Like all good stories, this one incorporates a lesson just subtle enough that readers will forget they're being taught, but in the end will understand themselves, and others, a little better, regardless of la lengua nativa—the mother tongue.
Simple, bella, un regalo permenente: simple and beautiful, a gift that will stay. (Fiction. 9-11)Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-375-80215-0
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2001
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by Julia Alvarez ; illustrated by Raúl Colón
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by Julia Alvarez ; illustrated by Sabra Field
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by Craig Robinson & Adam Mansbach ; illustrated by Keith Knight ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 28, 2017
A fast and funny alternative to the Wimpy Kid.
Black sixth-grader Jake Liston can only play one song on the piano. He can’t read music very well, and he can’t improvise. So how did Jake get accepted to the Music and Art Academy? He faked it.
Alongside an eclectic group of academy classmates, and with advice from his best friend, Jake tries to fit in at a school where things like garbage sculpting and writing art reviews of bird poop splatter are the norm. All is well until Jake discovers that the end-of-the-semester talent show is only two weeks away, and Jake is short one very important thing…talent. Or is he? It’s up to Jake to either find the talent that lies within or embarrass himself in front of the entire school. Light and humorous, with Knight’s illustrations adding to the fun, Jake’s story will likely appeal to many middle-grade readers, especially those who might otherwise be reluctant to pick up a book. While the artsy antics may be over-the-top at times, this is a story about something that most preteens can relate to: the struggle to find your authentic self. And in a world filled with books about wanting to fit in with the athletically gifted supercliques, this novel unabashedly celebrates the artsy crowd in all of its quirky, creative glory.
A fast and funny alternative to the Wimpy Kid. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: March 28, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-553-52351-5
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2016
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