Myers' third fine book this year—unlike Fallen Angels (p. 696/C- 114) and Scorpions (p. 764/C-126)—is relatively light-hearted, involving kids playing Little League baseball near Jersey City, N.J. Still—though the exciting play-by-play games will satisfy sports buffs—narrator T.J. tells more than a baseball story. He and his younger brother, "Moondance," adopted only six months ago, are not yet at ease with their new parents, especially Dad—who played pro ball and is oblivious to the pain T.J. feels at his own inadequecies. Their friend "Mop" is still at the Catholic orphanage, but will be adopted at book's end by their coach, Marla; Mop and Marla's growing affection is one of the book's many deftly portrayed interactions. Moondance has the makings of a fine pitcher; even T.J. improves sufficiently to win Dad's approbation, with the help of some neatly sketched minor characters: Sister Carmelita, a young nun who's often in trouble; Peaches, a derelict with heart. The rival team, a bunch of heckling poor sports, is led by a coach whose unfair tactics include getting a man from Child Welfare to remove Mop as catcher in the middle of a championship game because she's a girl—a telling analogy to the proverbial politics of Jersey City. Much is conveyed here by few words: Myers makes every bit of dialogue reveal character, every action count. There are nifty vignettes: an old nun taking a losing team out for pizza and comforting them with the agony of St. Sebastian; T.J. rescuing Moondance's old toy bear from the toilet it's accidentally clogging. Some of these people are black, some white; if anyone needs to know, the illustrations reveal which are which. An easily enjoyed story, yet thoughtful, perceptive, and possessing real depth.
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1988
ISBN: 0440403960
Page Count: -
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Oct. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1988
A sweet and refreshing reminder that community is all around us.
A testament to the power of mangoes.
Brown-skinned Mia and Mama, who is darker-skinned, have moved into a new house. Mia loved their apartment and misses it but understands that Mama has wanted a house for so long; indeed, having a house has become Mia’s dream, too. It’s a pink two-story building with “five rooms. Eleven windows. And a whole lot of promise.” One of the things that makes this home so special is the mango tree in the yard. Mia is delighted to finally eat a ripe mango, special because it’s from their home. After that, the mangoes just keep coming and coming, and soon there are too many. But Mia quickly has the idea of sharing the fruit with the neighborhood. A full spread depicting racially diverse people eagerly mingling in Mia and Mama’s yard allows readers to see how wonderful it can be to find a new community. Mia decides, “There’s no such thing as too many mangos.” The light and optimistic story and the vibrant artwork complement each other smoothly. Collagelike illustrations in warm tones make inspired use of color, the pink of the new home contrasting well against the green of the lawn. The book will have readers considering what it means to forge new connections. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweet and refreshing reminder that community is all around us. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 9, 2023
ISBN: 9781534496033
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
A sweet Runaway Bunny book for the pirate set.
While reading a book about pirates, Danny considers sailing away with them. But what if he wants to come home?
As he reads with his mom, little Danny wonders aloud what it would be like to be a pirate. From the comfort of his couch, his questions persist. “What if I don’t like it on the pirate ship? And I want to come back home?” With steadfast love, his mother answers every “What if…?” with confident answers that reassure the young boy. Danny considers many logical barriers to his rescue, including the dangers of the ocean and the possibility that the friendly pirates may want to keep him. His mother’s answers, however, involve the magical element of a bottle filled with "magic spray." She metaphorically shrinks the problems with a few pumps of a handle. These "Alice in Wonderland" solutions seem unjustified given Danny’s reasonable questions. Luckily, the colorful full-spread illustrations simplify the nonsense and provide a mood of happy security throughout the story. Fortenberry’s playful illustrations freely borrow from cartoon conventions; the adorable Danny expresses no doubts about his security through two little dots for eyes.
A sweet Runaway Bunny book for the pirate set. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2321-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2011
© Copyright 2025 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.
