Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Arc Review: My Papi has a motorcycle by Isabel Quintero

Image: Penguin Young Readers

My Papi has a motorcycle by Isabel Quintero. Illustrated by Zeke Peña. unpgd. Kokila/ Penguin Young Readers, May, 2019. 9780525553410. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

The pair who brought us the beautiful Photographic: the life of Graciela Iturbide slides down the age grouping from YA to the very youngest of readers to celebrate a sweet bonding activity between father and daughter. In this story based on the author's own memories, Daisy knows all about the workings of a motorcycle engine thanks to her Papi. She awaits the sound of his truck pulling into the driveway of their modest home and greets him with a huge hug. The two strap on their helmets and hop on Papi's electric blue motorcycle to cruise the neighborhood. 

Family and community are important to Daisy. She notes landmarks with pride and mourns the loss of stores and the citrus groves that brought many of her neighbors to the area for work. 

This picture book, though not a graphic novel, has speech bubbles, the occasional panel and artistic elements and details that give it a graphic novel feel. Daisy seems to be a graphic novel fan. Don't miss the shout out to Low Riders in Space. Is it my imagination or did Peña also borrow an image of Raul the Third's for Daisy's brother's tee shirt? 

The palette, while colorful is a tad muted but maintains energy through the use of swooshes and zig-zag lines and onomatopoeia. The dialogue incorporates both Spanish and English. The mood is celebratory yet contemplative. 

My Papi has a motorcycle belongs in every school and public library and would make a terrific read aloud. 

Monday, April 8, 2019

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt


Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. 276 p. Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, May 7, 2019. 9780399175152. (Review of arc courtesy of bookseller hosting author visit.)

Middle Grade Monday features Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Fans of the author's first two books, One for the Murphys and Fish in a Tree will not be disappointed. Shouting at the Rain is set on Cape Cod. Delsie, lives on the Cape year-round with her grandmother. She wants to learn more about her mother, but Gran always changes the subject. Her best Cape friends are busy with a summer production of Annie and she's looking forward to the arrival of her best summer friend, Brandy. But Brandy has changed and the arrival of a new girl, Tressa makes Delsie feel like a third wheel. Then, there's the appearance of a mysterious boy who dresses all in black. Some say he's bad news but Delsie is intrigued.

Hunt excels at creating heartfelt characters. Delsie is compelling. Her ache over being parentless, especially missing her mother, is heartbreaking. She loves her grandmother and her neighbors are like an extended family, but she can't help wondering, missing and feeling it's her fault. The story nicely depicts the lives of year-round residents of beach resort towns - folks who love the place, brave it through hard winters and tolerate the summer invaders upon whom their livelihoods depend.

Hand to fans of the author's and readers who like gentle problem novels.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

#tbt: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor


Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Shiloh Quartet #1. 144 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, September, 1991. 9780689316142. 

Shiloh, the story about an abused dog and the boy who insists on rescuing him won the Newbery Medal in 1992. Everyone loves a boy and his dog story and this one is sure to tug at your heartstrings. Marty lives in a quiet, rural community in the south where everyone minds their own business. When a beagle shows up on Marty's property and it's obvious he's been abused, Marty begs his father to keep him. His dad recognized the dog as belonging to Judd Travers, a neighbor, a hunter and a mean drunk. Since the dog is clearly Judd's, Marty's dad insists that he return the dog. But Shiloh keeps running back to Marty.

The book has undergone a number of cover reworkings, thankfully. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the original, which is the one I read to my boys. Here are a couple of better cover images.


Shiloh was made into a movie, which I never saw, so of course, there was a movie version cover.

Perhaps my favorite is one that never was. A while back Travis Jonkers did a series called Covering the Newbery where he created or updated the covers. Here's the one he made for Shiloh:

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Picture Book Review: The One Day House by Julia Durango

Picture Book Month Day 7:


The One Day House by Julia Durango. Illustrated by Bianca Diaz. Charlesbridge, August, 2017. 9781580897099. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Young Wilson is friends with his elderly neighbor, Gigi. He notices that her house has become rather run-down. He promises her that, "One day,..." To each home improvement suggestion that Wilson makes, Gigi's response is the his friendship is all she needs. But, as Wilson shares his hopes and dreams for Gigi's house, his close-knit community listens and comes together to surprise her with the repairs she needs.

This is a warmhearted, lovely story of altruism featuring a diverse cast of characters and a wonderful friendship between Gigi and Wilson. It's a perfect read aloud that gently imparts lessons of kindness without being didactic. An author's note at the end shares the inspiration for the story as well as information about charities that help neighbors and neighborhoods. 

The mixed media illustrations have folk art appeal. The palette is vibrant and the art is textured. The art-within-the-art has the appearance of child-drawn art. 

The One Day House is a lovely book to share with any young reader.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Arc Review: The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya


The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. 239 p. Viking/ Penguin Young Readers Group, May 16, 2017. 9781101997239.

Thirteen-year-old Arturo Zamora lives and works with his large extended family. They own and run a Cuban American restaurant, La Cocina de la Isla, walking distance from the apartment complex where they all live. Arturo's grandmother, and founder of the restaurant, is the glue that holds the family together. She founded the restaurant with her now deceased husband and has recently passed the reins of running the restaurant to Arturo's mother. Arturo's family gathers at the restaurant each Sunday for dinner where they engage in spirited conversation and bicker good-naturedly. The clan is hosting a new addition for the summer. Carmen and her father have moved into the complex. Arturo views her as family and is confused by the sudden rush of feelings for her. Arturo has two best friends, who will be off to separate camps for the summer soon while Arturo begins work at the restaurant as a junior dishwasher. 

Arturo is an endearing narrator and clearly adores his family, especially his Abuela. He's also charmingly awkward with Carmen. When Wilfredo Pipo invades the restaurant to introduce himself one day, everyone takes an instant dislike to him and his oily ways, even Abuela, who likes everyone.

Turns out, they have good reason to suspect Pipo, he plans on gentrifying the neighbor and La Cocina de la Isla is not on the blueprints. He's pushing them out. What's more, the rest of the neighborhood seems charmed by the idea. Arturo's aunt wants to do something and Arturo's mother has a more wait and see attitude. Arturo's scared and he and Carmen team up to get to the bottom of things. 

There's a lot to like about this debut. It's a gentle story of family, connection and growing up. Reading it was like being enfolded into Abuela's warm hug. It was like meeting a family for the first time but feeling like I've know them forever. Arturo's voice is earnest and awkward and at times, hilarious but always genuine.