A sprightly tale of self-discovery that’s both affecting and endearing.
A school film gives a fifth-grade loner his chance to shine in this middle-grade novel.
Bernard Gawain doesn’t have many friends or much of a social life in Green Hill, New Hampshire. But he willingly takes the lead role for a project in Miss Sorenson’s class—a 10-minute film based on local legend Ramesses Ka. This gives him a shot at playing the hero (in this case, a mummy) for his crush, classmate Bridget Matsumoto, who’s a shoo-in for the other lead. It’s also the kind of B-movie material that Bernard loves and streams every Saturday on The Crummy Mummy Show. His overbearing mother, however, doesn’t approve of his watching said series or really anything that doesn’t help maintain his high GPA. In between trying to make sense of Bridget’s feelings for him (she calls him a string bean but then asks for double string beans at lunch), the goofy, charming Bernard wins a few friends. Now if he could just get his mom to let him be himself. Thomas Tosi’s upbeat story showcases the immensely likable Bernard, a smart, well-behaved kid who rolls with the punches. His mother’s relentless nature even sneaks educational bits into this novel: Bernard uses mom-assigned “vocabulary words” he’s consistently learning, like tome, scoundrel, and flibbertigibbet. The supporting cast is remarkable, from zany classmate Dewey, who occasionally bumps heads with Bernard, to Bridget’s little sister, Franny, who’s refreshingly honest, much to the chagrin of nearly everyone else. As he prepares for his upcoming role, Bernard often appears wrapped in mummy bandages, and it’s inspiring to watch the fifth grader uncover his inner fortitude while hiding inside a costume. Illustrator Meaghan Tosi’s artwork includes gleeful, comically expressive faces along with campy B-movie posters (a highlight being the Spanish-language version of The Aztec Mummy vs. the Cat People).
A sprightly tale of self-discovery that’s both affecting and endearing.Pub Date: Sept. 10, 2024
ISBN: 9781954782198
Page Count: 276
Publisher: Dooney Press
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
After Castro’s takeover, nine-year-old Julian and his older brothers are sent away by their fearful parents via “Operation Pedro Pan” to a camp in Miami for Cuban-exile children. Here he discovers that a ruthless bully has essentially been put in charge. Julian is quicker-witted than his brothers or anyone else ever imagined, though, and with his inherent smarts, developing maturity and the help of child and adult friends, he learns to navigate the dynamics of the camp and surroundings and grows from the former baby of the family to independence and self-confidence. A daring rescue mission at the end of the novel will have readers rooting for Julian even as it opens his family’s eyes to his courage and resourcefulness. This autobiographical novel is a well-meaning, fast-paced and often exciting read, though at times the writing feels choppy. It will introduce readers to a not-so-distant period whose echoes are still felt today and inspire admiration for young people who had to be brave despite frightening and lonely odds. (Historical fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59643-168-3
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: June 14, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
A fast and funny alternative to the Wimpy Kid.
Black sixth-grader Jake Liston can only play one song on the piano. He can’t read music very well, and he can’t improvise. So how did Jake get accepted to the Music and Art Academy? He faked it.
Alongside an eclectic group of academy classmates, and with advice from his best friend, Jake tries to fit in at a school where things like garbage sculpting and writing art reviews of bird poop splatter are the norm. All is well until Jake discovers that the end-of-the-semester talent show is only two weeks away, and Jake is short one very important thing…talent. Or is he? It’s up to Jake to either find the talent that lies within or embarrass himself in front of the entire school. Light and humorous, with Knight’s illustrations adding to the fun, Jake’s story will likely appeal to many middle-grade readers, especially those who might otherwise be reluctant to pick up a book. While the artsy antics may be over-the-top at times, this is a story about something that most preteens can relate to: the struggle to find your authentic self. And in a world filled with books about wanting to fit in with the athletically gifted supercliques, this novel unabashedly celebrates the artsy crowd in all of its quirky, creative glory.
A fast and funny alternative to the Wimpy Kid. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: March 28, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-553-52351-5
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2016
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
