A nice treat for all Star Wars fans.
Sisters Rose and Paige Tico lead a run in their starship, Hammer, for the Resistance under the orders of Gen. Leia Organa.
Rumor has it that the First Order may have a presence in the Attera Alpha and Attera Bravo systems, and it is the sisters’ job to do reconnaissance to find out. While out on a mission, they unexpectedly witness a team of TIE fighters in pursuit of a small starfighter in the Attera system. This starfighter docks itself inside Hammer before they can make the jump to hyperspace. Back on the Resistance base of D’Qar, the Hammer crew learns the two fugitives that were aboard the starfighter are leaders of an Atteran resistance movement, Bravo Rising. Organa decides to send Cobalt Squadron, led by Rose and Paige, to deliver supplies—but it does not go well. Wein offers a neat and succinct tale introducing the newest, Asian member of the Star Wars cast, Rose Tico, giving her an origin story that leads right up to the beginning of the opening sequence of The Last Jedi. For fans craving necessary backstory for the film, this may feel like better late than never. Though there are only a few scenes with Gen. Organa, Wein’s obvious love for the Star Wars story shines through when Leia enters a scene, providing spot-on dialogue that nails the character.
A nice treat for all Star Wars fans. (Science fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-368-00837-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm
Review Posted Online: Feb. 18, 2018
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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