It takes two in this middle-grade pro-wrestling sequel.
Business has boomed at Slamdown Town arena ever since Ollie, a scrawny sixth grader, discovered magical gum that transforms him into Big Chew, a muscle-bound wrestler. For now, Big Chew is sidelined, as Ollie prefers cheering alongside gamer girl Tamiko in the crowd. Ollie and Tamiko are doubtful when promoter Linton Krackle’s children, Leon and Luna, make their in-ring debut—and dumbfounded when they effortlessly defeat adult opponents. After battering the duo during an at-home exhibition, Ollie and Tamiko seek and gather evidence of corruption and learn the Krackle Kiddos are ignorant of any foul play. Meanwhile, Tamiko unlocks her own alter ego when a stream of arcade game pixels empowers her to shape-shift Shazam-style into wrestler Game Over. The best friends are, at last, in-ring partners—but Big Chew is a rule-abiding face whereas Game Over competes as a rule-bending heel. As Leon and Luna stack up suspect wins, the Ragtag Team works through their differences and earns hard-fought victories, culminating in a three-way dance for the tag team titles. Can Ollie and Tamiko find a way to conquer the champions while protecting the Krackle Kiddos from psychological and physical harm? Although matter-of-fact intergender matches are welcome, wrestling fans will scratch their heads at nonsensical move names while bookish types will bemoan the formulaic plot. Ollie is White; Tamiko’s name cues her as Japanese American.
This enhancement talent squash match simply runs too long. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Feb. 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4197-4594-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
Categories: CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS
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BOOK REVIEW
Strong characterizations and vivid musical scenes add layers to this warm family story.
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An African-American youngster is happiest when he can play his harmonica with his bluesman grandfather until tragedy removes the music from his life.
Clayton Byrd idolizes his grandfather, a popular bluesman. But his mother disapproves of her father’s music and of Clayton’s joining Cool Papa Byrd and other bluesmen in the park. Clayton’s father tries to make a place in his life, but the things he likes to do cannot compare to the music. When Cool Papa Byrd dies suddenly, Clayton’s pain is almost unbearable, made worse when his mother gets rid of the records and instruments that Clayton expected would be his way of maintaining that special connection. School becomes as difficult as home, and counseling with the church pastor doesn’t help. Hoping to find a place with the remaining bluesmen, he meets up with a group of street boys making their way with beat music and dance. When he plays his harmonica and the crowd responds, the boys form an uneasy alliance that is threatened when the police intervene. Clayton’s love of his grandfather and his music is wonderfully drawn, as is his grief when he loses them. His mother’s unresolved issues with her own childhood inform the story appropriately for young readers. The conjunction of two African-American music genres, both born of struggle, is a colorful backdrop for this lively story.
Strong characterizations and vivid musical scenes add layers to this warm family story. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: May 9, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-06-221591-8
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Amistad/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 6, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2017
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A stellar collaboration that introduces an important and intriguing individual to today’s readers.
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Two bestselling authors imagine the boyhood of the man who became the legendary boxing icon Muhammad Ali.
Cassius was a spirited child growing up in segregated Louisville, Kentucky. He had a loving home with his parents and younger brother, Rudy. Granddaddy Herman also was an important figure, imparting life lessons. His parents wanted him to succeed in school, but Cassius had difficulty reading and found more pleasure in playing and exploring outdoors. Early on, he and Rudy knew the restrictions of being African American, for example, encountering “Whites Only” signs at parks, but the brothers dreamed of fame like that enjoyed by Black boxer Joe Louis. Popular Cassius was especially close to Lucius “Lucky” Wakely; despite their academic differences, their deep connection remained after Lucky received a scholarship to a Catholic school. When Cassius wandered into the Columbia Boxing Gym, it seemed to be destiny, and he developed into a successful youth boxer. Told in two voices, with prose for the voice of Lucky and free verse for Cassius, the narrative provides readers with a multidimensional view of the early life of and influences on an important figure in sports and social change. Lucky’s observations give context while Cassius’ poetry encapsulates his drive, energy, and gift with words. Combined with dynamic illustrations by Anyabwile, the book captures the historical and social environment that produced Muhammad Ali.
A stellar collaboration that introduces an important and intriguing individual to today’s readers. (bibliography) (Biographical novel. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-316-49816-6
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson/HMH Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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