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256 pp.
| Clarion
| May, 2022
|
TradeISBN 978-0-358-61289-6$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-358-61279-7$16.99
(2)
4-6
Seventh grader Freddie is jinxed by a family curse. Bad luck follows him "like toilet paper stuck to my shoe," whether he's tripping over his own feet and falling flat on his face or losing his pants. One day, Freddie finds what looks like an ancient coin in his garage. It turns out to be a family heirloom in which the spirit of his great-granduncle Ramon is trapped. Determined to free Ramon, Freddie has just thirteen days to outsmart the evil spirits that have been casting misfortune on his life--and that are now bent on trapping Freddie. Badua's intriguing and humorous debut novel integrates snippets of Filipino American history into the plot alongside elements of the supernatural and contemporary-kid life. Intergenerational conflicts arise between Freddie's parents and his lovable, superstitious grandma, Apong Rosing, leaving our protagonist and his quick-witted cousin, Sharkey, to defeat the Ruiz family curse once and for all. Weaving together mystery, folklore, history, magic, and intrigue, Freddie's adventures are an entertaining delight.
Reviewer: Jerry Dear
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2022
32 pp.
| Kalaniot
| October, 2022
|
TradeISBN 978-1735087573$19.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Daphna Awadish.
Mendel loves Hanukkah but is prone to, and known for, making mistakes. He over-onions the latkes, for example, and uses sparklers in place of Hanukkah candles. "Oy, Mendel!" When Rabbi Klein asks him to drive the Mitzvah Mobile to spread the word about the big Hanukkah bash, everyone is nervous. Things go surprisingly well--at first. Details in the childlike illustrations give this community lots of personality; and Mendel's personal journey very loosely mirrors the Hanukkah story in a lighthearted way. "A Brief History of Hanukkah," a glossary, and some holiday activities are appended.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2022
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Lori Richmond.
"If your job is to pour but you spill on the floor, just say... / OOPSIE-DO!" Richmond's art, featuring cartoony dot-eyed characters with a range of facial expressions, profiles a toddler making toddler-scale blunders at school and home. Musician Kubart's text may double as song lyrics (singalong link included), but it suits a picture-book format: the peppy rhymes scan when recited aloud.
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Tim Warnes.
Otto wants to ramp up the Christmas traditions in his household, but he makes several messes and mixes up the gifts. His somewhat implausibly patient family laughs along, and Mom fixes everything to make it "the most Christmassy Christmas EVER!" The illustrations of the rhinoceros family are filled with cheerful Christmas imagery and depictions of Otto's eagerness.
268 pp.
| Random
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-53782-6$12.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-53781-9$15.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-53780-2
(3)
4-6
Princess DisGrace series.
Illustrated by
Kimberley Scott.
In her second term at Tall Towers Princess Academy, awkward and accident-prone Grace is reluctantly preparing for a class ballet performance. The discovery of a baby dragon leads kindhearted Grace--with the help of a young servant girl--to save both the dragon and the show. Grace's princess-school dramas, humorously depicted in the generous black-and-white illustrations, have sure appeal for princess-obsessed readers.
225 pp.
| Random
| June, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-53775-8$12.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-53777-2$15.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-53776-5
(4)
4-6
Princess DisGrace series.
Illustrated by
Kimberley Scott.
Clumsy, messy Grace is in her first year at Tall Towers Princess Academy. Although she is bullied by her nasty cousin Precious, Grace's cheerful, optimistic outlook wins her friends and a unicorn named Billy. Readers who like their princesses spunky and glittery will look past the obvious messages and the predictability of Grace's awkwardness. Plentiful black-and-white illustrations are amusing.
40 pp.
| Viking
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-451-46955-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
Over the course of four individual stories, an irascible white mouse leads three other mice into dangerous though exciting situations of predator vs. prey. The leader's cheerful, unworried obstinacy fits well with the book's episodic nature; he never learns from past mistakes. Skillfully illustrated in gouache and pencil and told in comics format, the droll characters communicate through speech bubbles and delightfully depicted expressions.
(4)
1-3
Jim Nasium series.
Illustrated by
Chris Jones.
With the support of his best friend, Milo, ten-year-old Jim Nasium, a dedicated but klutzy elementary-school athlete, finally finds some success. The plots are facile, but these feel-good underdog stories are laced with puns and lots of humor for young readers. The cartoony black-and-white illustrations capture the high points as well as Jim's many sporting missteps. Review covers the following Jim Nasium titles: Jim Nasium Is a Strikeout King and Jim Nasium Is a Tennis Mismatch.
(4)
1-3
Jim Nasium series.
Illustrated by
Chris Jones.
With the support of his best friend, Milo, ten-year-old Jim Nasium, a dedicated but klutzy elementary-school athlete, finally finds some success. The plots are facile, but these feel-good underdog stories are laced with puns and lots of humor for young readers. The cartoony black-and-white illustrations capture the high points as well as Jim's many sporting missteps. Review covers the following Jim Nasium titles: Jim Nasium Is a Strikeout King and Jim Nasium Is a Tennis Mismatch.
(4)
1-3
Jim Nasium series.
Illustrated by
Chris Jones.
Jim Nasium is a sports klutz, but at least he has willpower, supportive parents, and an understanding friend. How he manages to survive each sports season is the premise of these quick chapter books in a series with self-deprecating humor and somewhat repetitive first chapters. Black-and-white caricature cartoons accompany the texts, all of which end with a list of jokes. Review covers these Jim Nasium titles: Jim Nasium Is a Basket Case, Jim Nasium Is a Football Fumbler, Jim Nasium Is a Hockey Hazard, and Jim Nasium Is a Soccer Goofball.
(4)
1-3
Jim Nasium series.
Illustrated by
Chris Jones.
Jim Nasium is a sports klutz, but at least he has willpower, supportive parents, and an understanding friend. How he manages to survive each sports season is the premise of these quick chapter books in a series with self-deprecating humor and somewhat repetitive first chapters. Black-and-white caricature cartoons accompany the texts, all of which end with a list of jokes. Review covers these Jim Nasium titles: Jim Nasium Is a Basket Case, Jim Nasium Is a Football Fumbler, Jim Nasium Is a Hockey Hazard, and Jim Nasium Is a Soccer Goofball.
(4)
1-3
Jim Nasium series.
Illustrated by
Chris Jones.
Jim Nasium is a sports klutz, but at least he has willpower, supportive parents, and an understanding friend. How he manages to survive each sports season is the premise of these quick chapter books in a series with self-deprecating humor and somewhat repetitive first chapters. Black-and-white caricature cartoons accompany the texts, all of which end with a list of jokes. Review covers these Jim Nasium titles: Jim Nasium Is a Basket Case, Jim Nasium Is a Football Fumbler, Jim Nasium Is a Hockey Hazard, and Jim Nasium Is a Soccer Goofball.
(4)
1-3
Jim Nasium series.
Illustrated by
Chris Jones.
Jim Nasium is a sports klutz, but at least he has willpower, supportive parents, and an understanding friend. How he manages to survive each sports season is the premise of these quick chapter books in a series with self-deprecating humor and somewhat repetitive first chapters. Black-and-white caricature cartoons accompany the texts, all of which end with a list of jokes. Review covers these Jim Nasium titles: Jim Nasium Is a Basket Case, Jim Nasium Is a Football Fumbler, Jim Nasium Is a Hockey Hazard, and Jim Nasium Is a Soccer Goofball.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Xavier Bonet.
Third grader Oscar Schmidt is a complete klutz. After getting lost on his way home, Oscar (literally) stumbles upon Dr. Oopsie's abandoned train car of tonics and finds the amazing gravity repellent. With some experimentation and help from his logic-wielding friend Asha, Oscar takes a high-flying adventure, learning about gravity and himself. Peterson's quick-paced, humorous romp will appeal to younger middle-grade readers.
390 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| November, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-204928-5$16.99
(3)
4-6
The least talented thief in his entire clan, Jaxter Grimjinx's skill creating nonmagical antidotes to magic spells leads him on a quest for a remedy when a prophetic tapestry shows a bleak future for the town of Vengekeep--and predicts that its survival relies on the formerly despised Grimjinx clan. Witty dialogue, unlikely heroics, and novel adversities buoy this inventive adventure.
(3)
K-3
Stanley, an elephant child with a reputation for clumsiness, is dismayed when he accidentally ruins Mouse's house. Satisfyingly, the new house he builds from a cardboard box and other found objects brings Stanley recognition for his cleverness--and for his kindness, too. In the joyful detailed collages, readers get a close-up look at Mouse's new home, with its ingenious mini-accessories.
(4)
4-6
Hollywood Sisters series.
Shy Jess's older sister, Eva, is a star on a hit TV show, and that's just fine with Jess. What isn't fine is that someone is launching a tabloid smear campaign against Eva. Although this novel displays the stereotypical tendencies of others of its ilk, the focus on the unfamous sister is refreshing and the mystery is entertaining.
32 pp.
| Star Bright
| February, 2005
|
TradeISBN 1-59572-008-1$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ben Redlich.
The great Montefiasco is a not-so-great magician whose tricks go all wrong. To help, he hires the Fabulous (and clumsy) Betty. Though her assistance elevates his blunders to comical height, he realizes that their mistakes are more entertaining than any ordinary magic trick. The detailed art and the story's overpowering theme and romance might appeal more to adults than children.
(4)
K-3
Translated by J. Alison James.
Because he's so large and clumsy, Jack feels like a misfit next to his three mouse sisters, who often laugh at him. Finally, his mother reveals that he's actually a foundling rat and reassures him of his place in the family. After that, Jack's problems disappear--a little too quickly. Müller's bright, mottled illustrations will likely attract young readers' attention.
(4)
K-3
Nelly and Sam, two clumsy bears, run to a nearby lake to catch fish. The other bears don't want them around but let them stay when they promise to behave. Soon a huge school of fish swims by, and a frenzy ensues. The bears don't catch any fish (through no fault of Nelly or Sam's) and go home empty-handed yet content. The simple story, illustrated with energetic paintings, is slight but upbeat.