An entertaining romp.
A teen girl embarks on a literary scavenger hunt through England for a chance to win a life-changing prize.
After a knee injury ends her soccer career, 18-year-old Britt Hanson knows her college sports scholarship chances are ruined—then she receives a mysterious invitation to travel to the U.K. and compete for $100,000. Britt and three other students have been invited by their English teacher, Ms. Carmichael, who’s arranging and sponsoring an all-expenses-paid 10-day scavenger hunt. On a Canterbury Tales–inspired journey, they must follow riddles that lead them to literary locations around the country and complete a journal about their adventures. Ever willing to talk to strangers, playful and outgoing Britt must face her insecurities about the way boys regard her and not being as smart as her older siblings or classmates. Accompanied by Alexis, the snarky chaperone who is in charge of ensuring she stays out of trouble, Britt also picks up Al’s cute, bookish cousin, Luke, at her first stop, and he joins her on her travels. Britt’s biggest challenge is filling out the journal—she struggles to put her thoughts into words—but she knows she must if she wants to win. Intriguing secrets—how can Ms. Carmichael afford this? Is someone sabotaging the students?—keep readers guessing. The romance is sweet, and Britt’s zeal for travel combined with laugh-out-loud moments will charm readers. Main characters are White.
An entertaining romp. (Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: June 14, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-42942-6
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: March 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship.
Shortly before the new queen’s coronation, a monster wreaks havoc, forcing a young fairy princess to intervene at her own risk.
In Pixie Hollow, the Never Fairies of Spring, Summer, and Autumn work to create seasons for the humans on the Mainland, while the fairies of Winter remain apart in the Winter Woods. Clarion, a governing-talent fairy who’s soon to take over as queen of Pixie Hollow, often looks wonderingly at the Winter Woods. But crossing the border is against the rules set forth by her mentor, Queen Elvina. When a monster from Winter breaks free and enters Spring, Clarion bristles at Elvina’s dismissal. Determined to be involved, she secretly travels to Winter, meets with Milori, the Warden of the Winter Woods, and learns that the land is nothing like what she’s heard, making her wonder what else the queen has been untruthful about. Together Milori and Clarion work to discover the secrets of Pixie Hollow, which may save them—or lead to death. Set in a magical place of flowers and pixie dust, this story considers the control we have over the roles we’re assigned. Clarion is a beautifully complex character—strong yet insecure, lovable due to her willingness to prioritize relationships over rules. Themes of fear, forbidden love, and good vs. evil are present in this fast-paced, engaging tale. Main characters are cued white.
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781368098458
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Disney Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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