Wild fantasy, sly satire, and sharply observed family dynamics are the hallmarks of this tasty, effervescent series (along...
Nora was thrilled to find Mabel in a flowerpot on her doorstep, even if the baby’s unconventional arrival displeased their neighbors in 1881 Yorkshire.
When Mabel’s proven to have strong magical abilities, Nora sends her to Ruthersfield, a highly regarded academy for witches in Potts Bottom. Moving the whole household to Potts Bottom allows Nora to keep Mabel’s adoption secret—even from Mabel: only kind Daisy and sour Nanny Grimshaw know. At Ruthersfield, Mabel makes friends and enjoys learning magic but chafes at the strict limits and senseless rules the academy places on its use by young ladies. Why must witches ride broomsticks sidesaddle when riding astride would be easier and safer? Learning to dance the “waft and glide,” mastering sparkling conversation spells for dinner parties, and enhancing her complexion with unicorn-milk soap don’t interest Mabel. Curious and daring, she experiments, creating new spells (with surprising results). Witchcraft runs in families, so Mabel’s family tree must include witches, but Nora won’t discuss them. Then a jealous classmate learns the truth about her flowerpot origins and reveals it to the entire school, devastating Mabel. She’ll need courage and love to get through this—magic can’t solve everything. Adoption is treated with sensitivity and in an age-appropriate way.
Wild fantasy, sly satire, and sharply observed family dynamics are the hallmarks of this tasty, effervescent series (along with mouthwatering recipes); this volume’s the most delectable yet. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-6533-5
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An exciting tale of friendship, family, and embracing the magic of our imagination.
What would you draw if your brush had the power to bring your art to life?
Seventh grader Amy Li has always loved drawing, but things haven’t been the same since she decided to “take art seriously.” Her old creations now feel embarrassingly childish, and she struggles to find her own style. While staying with Lao Lao, her maternal grandmother, in Queens over spring break, Amy discovers a magic jade and gold paintbrush that has the power to make whatever she paints come alive. But even as Luna, her imaginary friend who has a tiger’s body with a feathered head and toucan’s beak, springs from her sketchbook, something sinister awakens in the mountains surrounding Guilin, China. Amy soon recognizes the brush’s dangerous potential. With the support of Lao Lao, Luna, and best friend Diego (who’s cued Latine), she must fight to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. This fast-paced, action-packed reimagining of a classic Chinese tale features compelling prose and heartwarming relationships. Chapters from the antagonist’s point of view create suspense and a real sense of danger as readers learn the extent of his selfishness and greed. Many readers who grapple with their own insecurities will relate to Amy’s pervasive self-doubts. Zhong’s illustrations add flavor to the story, breaking up the text to support young readers while leaving room for the imagination.
An exciting tale of friendship, family, and embracing the magic of our imagination. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: May 21, 2024
ISBN: 9780593179932
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Delivers entertaining hijinks and fresh Twittery.
The Twits rise again, as revolting as ever, to play and be the victims of further gooey, gluey pranks.
This follow-up to 2023’s Wonka, inspired by Roald Dahl’s sourball satire, stirs plenty of characters as well as riffs and references from the 1980 original into a storyline that pits the mutually abusive titular twosome against Mr. and Mrs. Lovely, new neighbors who are stubbornly dedicated to making the world a nicer place. As it turns out, good intentions only go so far. After Mr. Twit endangers 10-year-old twins Ruff and Tumble Lovely by tricking them into climbing the Big Dead Tree, an escalating prank war ensues. In a lovely nod to Judith Kerr, the chapter “The Tiger Who Came for Breakfast” features a mistreated circus tiger, acquired from a contact the Twits have retained from their circus training days, who quickly becomes a Lovely pet, rather than gobbling them up as intended. The authors drop in a few major twists, liberal quantities of garbage and glue, stomach-churning foods, and alliterative imprecations (“Jiggly…jabbering…jam head!” “mean, mangy, mumbling MOO COW!”), and savage just deserts once again play significant roles. In Jones’ energetic and humorous illustrations, Mr. Lovely reads Black, and Mrs. Lovely appears white; racially and culturally diverse crowds witness the crabby white-presenting Twits’ climactic comeuppance.
Delivers entertaining hijinks and fresh Twittery. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2024
ISBN: 9780593692622
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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