LOVED this book! It has both English AND Spanish (like, a significant amount of Spanish text), includes Latine characters from five different culturesLOVED this book! It has both English AND Spanish (like, a significant amount of Spanish text), includes Latine characters from five different cultures, there's a big nod to the Breakfast Club and the storyline includes a [white] homeless mom and her daughter living in a van and the kids figuring out a way to help them out. Strong character development with distinct cultural differences between the kids (Spanish slang, etc). Really, really good....more
mysticism and map making, there's a magical crane... the text is really tiny, so it's a little hard to read.mysticism and map making, there's a magical crane... the text is really tiny, so it's a little hard to read....more
two fantastical creatures happen upon a baby in the woods. They both want to keep her and can't decide who gets to, so they end up co-parenting. It tutwo fantastical creatures happen upon a baby in the woods. They both want to keep her and can't decide who gets to, so they end up co-parenting. It turns out sweet and romantic in the end, but I'm knocking one star off because the child's birthparents are basically brushed off as unimportant and that's disappointing in a modern book....more
Loved this book! Magic realism, a little absurdity, lovable characters, Latino main characters... I love that this book isn't yet another QUEST book (Loved this book! Magic realism, a little absurdity, lovable characters, Latino main characters... I love that this book isn't yet another QUEST book (which I love, but I also like some variety, people) but instead focuses on internal conflicts and interpersonal relationship issues that the protagonist is dealing with. Delicious writing -- I'm a big fan of Kim Baker!...more
Paola’s friend Emma disappears near the beginning of the book and she and her other best friend, Dante go search for her. There’s cactus and chupacabrPaola’s friend Emma disappears near the beginning of the book and she and her other best friend, Dante go search for her. There’s cactus and chupacabras and la llorona and other Mexican fable characters. There’s kids in the desert protecting the “real world” from demons and in a non-aging bubble. I was a little put off by the amount of battling that went on, but there was juuuuust barely enough other storyline for me to hang on and like the story. I did feel like there were a lot of characters to keep track of. ...more
Nice storyline of two very different superheroes who swap bodies and learn to appreciate each others strengths. One of the girls is Latinx and her culNice storyline of two very different superheroes who swap bodies and learn to appreciate each others strengths. One of the girls is Latinx and her culture shows up in small, authentic ways throughout the book....more
Loved this one! Several laugh out loud moments and great comedic timing throughout plus nice adventure pacing. Nico works at a shop selling objects ofLoved this one! Several laugh out loud moments and great comedic timing throughout plus nice adventure pacing. Nico works at a shop selling objects of wonder to immortal beings with his co workers Lula the Sphinx and Buck the unicorn with the broken/crooked horn. All around good stuff! Please write more? Lots more!...more
We listened to this in the van together on a road trip. I love that the author has woven in all of these Latin American legends and I love that it's aWe listened to this in the van together on a road trip. I love that the author has woven in all of these Latin American legends and I love that it's an Own Voices title! The book got a little "stream-of-consiciousness" for me at times and there were some convenient literary mechanisms used and time stretched and shrank inconsistently through the book, but I just put book 2 on hold, so we'll see if it holds our attention through the continuation of the tale....more
One of Gabriel's and my favorites bedtime read-alouds this year (the Nevermoor Chronicles were the only others that came close)! Love that this is wriOne of Gabriel's and my favorites bedtime read-alouds this year (the Nevermoor Chronicles were the only others that came close)! Love that this is written by a Latino author about a Latino community. Love that there's a magical/mystical/science-fictiony premise. Love that the characters are all just so KIND to each other (despite a near fistfight in the first chapter). Love that this book is so full of love. And Cuban food. And magic tricks. Can't wait for the next installment!...more
Super sweet book about a boy visiting his grandma in the big city. He has lots of fears in the city, but she shows him that they're not so scary. It'sSuper sweet book about a boy visiting his grandma in the big city. He has lots of fears in the city, but she shows him that they're not so scary. It's in Spanish, but I CAN READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF IT!! HOORAY!...more
The first thing you need to realize about pickle making is that it is serious business. Pickling has a long and illustrious history in the food preserThe first thing you need to realize about pickle making is that it is serious business. Pickling has a long and illustrious history in the food preservation industry. Pssst! Are all of the grown-ups gone? They are? Great. Then we can let you in on a secret. The League of Pickle Makers is really a cover for the newest club at Fountain Point Middle School—the P.T.A. (Pranks and Trick Association). The club was started by me, Ben Ruiz and we only do pranks that are funny or fun and not mean. If you want more information about how we started our club, read Pickle by Kim Baker. We promise that you will laugh out loud. If this book doesn’t make you laugh out loud, it might be because you’re over the age of 20 and have lost your sense of humor. That happens to grown-ups sometimes. Ahem. In conclusion, for more information about the dynamics of pickling, please visit our website at www.picklesforever.com. Thank you for your attention.
note: this was a review i wrote for the library's website. For those of you who are children's librarians, you should know that i was SO impressed with this debut novel that I, upon finishing the book, promptly created a brand new event series for my already crowded summer line-up. I'm calling it Pickles, Pranks and a Picnic Lunch. Kids bring a lunch and eat while I read a few chapters (yes, this sounds like ye ol' standard Lunch Bunch, but here's my favorite part) and then we craft a new practical joke each week to take home and try on our friends and family. want more details? contact me. want to steal the idea? be my guest!...more
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