Chagrined and astounded that unconventional Aunt Mattie is his fifth-grade substitute teacher for the remainder of the year, Simon, from No More Nice (1996), steadily develops as a character. His classmates are determined to maintain their power and reputation for pushing teachers to the limit, but Aunt Mattie profoundly changes their perspective and goals. Though the continuation from the first is smoothly done, this stands alone well. MacDonald uses a timely theme for children who typically feel unbalanced, at this age, by the realization that they are embarrassed in public by things that they are comfortable with at home. Though the message is slightly strong, it is not belabored: regardless of the apparent humiliation, children need to handle their fear of being ridiculed and confidently develop their beliefs. The plot captures immediate interest, which holds up throughout. Line drawings echo the light humor and reflect the text rather than providing additional insight. The humor is enhanced by the silly stereotyped characterizations of the one-dimensional, power-hungry vice principal and the unprincipled rival teacher. Their inane cruelty blinds them to Aunt Mattie’s and the children’s potential. Their unnecessary wickedness pushes the plot to its conclusion. Slight glimpses into the depth of various characters are seen through Simon, whose major focus is upon himself and his classmates. Leaving room for a welcome third story, this is a fast read for children who want something funny and light. (Fiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2001
ISBN: 0-374-35529-0
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Melanie Kroupa/Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2001
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
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Ryan Hart is navigating the fourth grade and all its challenges with determination.
Her mom named her Ryan because it means “king,” and she wanted Ryan to feel powerful every time she heard her name; Ryan knows it means she is a leader. So when changes occur or disaster strikes, budding chef Ryan does her best to find the positive and “make sunshine.” When her dad is laid off from the post office, the family must make adjustments that include moving into a smaller house, selling their car, and changing how they shop for groceries. But Ryan gets to stay at Vernon Elementary, and her mom still finds a way to get her the ingredients she needs to practice new recipes. Her older brother, Ray, can be bossy, but he finds little ways to support her, especially when she is down—as does the whole family. Each episodic chapter confronts Ryan with a situation; intermittently funny, frustrating, and touching, they should be familiar and accessible to readers, as when Ryan fumbles her Easter speech despite careful practice. Ryan, her family, and friends are Black, and Watson continues to bring visibility to both Portland, Oregon, generally and its Black community specifically, making another wonderful contribution that allows Black readers to see themselves and all readers to find a character they can love.
Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another neighbor you have to meet! (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: April 28, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5476-0056-4
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY
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A group of talking farm animals catches wind of the farm owner’s intention to burn the barn (with them in it) for insurance money and hatches a plan to flee.
Bond begins briskly—within the first 10 pages, barn cat Burdock has overheard Dewey Baxter’s nefarious plan, and by Page 17, all of the farm animals have been introduced and Burdock is sharing the terrifying news. Grady, Dewey’s (ever-so-slightly) more principled brother, refuses to go along, but instead of standing his ground, he simply disappears. This leaves the animals to fend for themselves. They do so by relying on their individual strengths and one another. Their talents and personalities match their species, bringing an element of realism to balance the fantasy elements. However, nothing can truly compensate for the bland horror of the premise. Not the growing sense of family among the animals, the serendipitous intervention of an unknown inhabitant of the barn, nor the convenient discovery of an alternate home. Meanwhile, Bond’s black-and-white drawings, justly compared to those of Garth Williams, amplify the sense of dissonance. Charming vignettes and single- and double-page illustrations create a pastoral world into which the threat of large-scale violence comes as a shock.
Ironically, by choosing such a dramatic catalyst, the author weakens the adventure’s impact overall and leaves readers to ponder the awkward coincidences that propel the plot. (Animal fantasy. 8-10)Pub Date: July 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-544-33217-1
Page Count: 256
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2015
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