Eight-year-old Sara Simpson wants to do something extra-ordinary, but she thinks she’s the most normal girl on the planet. She trades names with a friend in class when they have a substitute teacher, but that only results in a lower spelling-test grade. She thinks having a middle name will help, but her friends make suggestions like “Tornado” and “Taco.” Her dad calls her the “Idea Girl,” and she finally comes up with the perfect idea for saving her favorite restaurant. It not only works, but it also fulfills her wish that people would say, “Here comes Sarah Simpson!” Newbery Award–winning author Naylor enters Amber Brown territory with her newest series Simply Sarah. Sarah’s a spunky, creative girl with a multicultural group of friends living in Chicago. Her mother’s an artist and her father is away on business. Ramsey’s watercolor illustrations are a nice complement even if they don’t match the text in a couple places. The shelves might be full of similar series, but Sarah should find her fans with a little help. (Fiction 7-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-7614-5182-X
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Though they're best friends, Sarah Bell and Penny May often quarrel. On the day in question, a combination of wonderfully believable accidents, insults, and hurt feelings leaves Penny up the tree in Sarah's yard, refusing to come down until Sarah apologizes. Some gentle escalation ensues: the Mums intervene, each scolding her own child but sympathetic to the other; the Dads get involved, and firemen are called—all to no avail. It's Sarah who gets Penny down at last, as the two make a new alliance and announce a sleepover. "I thought you were having a fight," says Mrs. Bell, to which Sarah replies, "It was our fight." The parents' response is bemused but benevolent (followed by some firm rules for next time); parting next morning, the girls are ready (well, almost) to joke about yesterday's tiff. In b&w illustrations (on almost every page) with a lively style reminiscent of Quentin Blake's, Cox catches the nuances in every stance and expression. A funny, easily read story that's also generous, true to life, and (like Wrightson's novels for older children) beautifully written. Pair this one with Steig's Spinky Sulks (1988). (Fiction/Young reader. 7-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0141306912
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
In their second adventure, Cooper Vor, Intragalactic Troubleshooter, has taken on a bigger job than 12-year-old assistant Jason and rabbit-eared housecat Lootna really want: pirates have taken over the fabulous planet Lumaloon, with its diamond moons and diamond palace. But Coop has a plan: he's bought one of inventor Finny Ikkit's party kits that's supposed to create a mock volcano, guaranteed to scare the pirates off Lumaloon. It works, too, thanks to quick thinking and fast talking by Coop and Jason, even though Lootna is captured by the pirates—and even though the party kit is mislabeled and really creates butterflies, birds, and balloons. Genuinely sweet, zany, and funny: a fine change-of-pace readaloud. (Fiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: June 30, 1992
ISBN: 0-06-022721-4
Page Count: 96
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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