May 2, 2023 by Kids Can Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this graphic novel, we meet Logan, who is about twelve years old but has some special needs. He communicates via sign language, although he can hear and has a lot of anxieties. After seeing a parade on television, he wants to go to one in twon with his family, including his mother (who is represented as a person of color), his father (who presents as white) and older sister Izzy. The family takes a train into town, and Logan has a good time saying hello to everyone, including a little Black girl who is about eight. When the parade starts, there is a group of clowns that frighten Logan, and he runs away. Determined that his voice be heard even though he is nonverbal, he channels his inner super hero he refers to as ThunderBoom. He stomps, and defeats the clowns. He finds the little girl from the train, who is also separated from her parents and has lost her teddy bear. The bear is in the possession of a martial arts group in the parade, and ThunderBook once again comes to the rescue. After being reunited with his parents, Logan doesn't want to go into the grocery store with his family, but does eat the fried chicken and ice cream they buy in the car. He is very afraid of a neighbor dog, whom he sees as a threat, but starts to understand that maybe the dog, like Logan himself, just barks because he wants his voice heard. The author's note at the end indicates that Logan is modeled off his own son, who has Angelman syndrome.
Strengths: Logan's anxieties are well represented, and it's interesting to see sign language portrayed on the page. His family is supportive, and the story moves along quickly.
Weaknesses: This might be confusing to younger readers who wonder why Logan acts the way he does, but perhaps that is the point. As an educator, I wanted to know what Logan's background was so that I could understand his actions better, since there was clearly some developmental delay.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Page's Button Pusher or Edwards' A Tale as Tall as Jacob: Misadventures with My Brother .
Venable, Colleen A.F. and Yue, Stephanie (Contributor).
Secrets and Sidekicks (Katie the Catsitter #3)
May 1, 2023 by Random House Children's Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Katie's mom is still working all hours at her job, leaving Katie plenty of time to train to be a superhero with the Moustress while pretending the time is being spent catsitting her many amusing cats. The latest mission has been against Buttersoft Bionics, a company that is dumping waste into waterways. The crew breaks into their offices and manages to reroute the pipes so that the waste is instead funneled into the CEO Reginald Crane's office! Beth, the daughter of Stainless Steel, isn't allowed to go on missions until "she's 35", and Katie can continue only because her mother doesn't know. There are giant robots on the loose that seem to have come from Bionics, and the Mousetress gets mixed up in the minds of the media as the evil doer. Benito Benton is back, hanging out with his brother, who doesn't seem convinced that Benito is Owl Guy, although Katie is. Katie also spends some time with the Wheel-las, a skateboarding group, and bonds with Marie, which makes Beth a little jealous. Of course, Beth is hanging out with Jess more and more, and Jess is upset about all of the robot drama in town because her boyfriend is the son of Buttersoft's CEO. Moustress has some personal drama, since she has never told her parents about her superhero identity, and it's not surprising when Katie's mom finds about her antics and wants her to stop training. Is Benito really Owl Guy? Is he coordinating the robots? Who is behind the current threat to the town, and will Katie and her friends (with help from the cat army) be able to stop them?
Strengths: This was an amusing superhero romp, and I liked that fact that Katie struggled with the training. Superheroes have to practice, just like anyone else. The friend drama is all on point; Beth is so much better than Katie that there's some jealousy, and middle school is a time when people make new friends due to new interests, and it's hard to keep everyone happy. The cats' antics are all amusing, and there are plenty of cute cat drawings.
Weaknesses: It's one thing for Katie to not tell her mother about her superhero training, but it bothered me that the other adults were willing to hide it. Purely an adult/parent reaction, of course!
What I really think: My students like this one, but I'm not a cat person. The first two have circulated well, so I will buy the third book. Just not my personal favorite.
Weaknesses: This might be confusing to younger readers who wonder why Logan acts the way he does, but perhaps that is the point. As an educator, I wanted to know what Logan's background was so that I could understand his actions better, since there was clearly some developmental delay.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Page's Button Pusher or Edwards' A Tale as Tall as Jacob: Misadventures with My Brother .
Secrets and Sidekicks (Katie the Catsitter #3)
May 1, 2023 by Random House Children's Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Katie's mom is still working all hours at her job, leaving Katie plenty of time to train to be a superhero with the Moustress while pretending the time is being spent catsitting her many amusing cats. The latest mission has been against Buttersoft Bionics, a company that is dumping waste into waterways. The crew breaks into their offices and manages to reroute the pipes so that the waste is instead funneled into the CEO Reginald Crane's office! Beth, the daughter of Stainless Steel, isn't allowed to go on missions until "she's 35", and Katie can continue only because her mother doesn't know. There are giant robots on the loose that seem to have come from Bionics, and the Mousetress gets mixed up in the minds of the media as the evil doer. Benito Benton is back, hanging out with his brother, who doesn't seem convinced that Benito is Owl Guy, although Katie is. Katie also spends some time with the Wheel-las, a skateboarding group, and bonds with Marie, which makes Beth a little jealous. Of course, Beth is hanging out with Jess more and more, and Jess is upset about all of the robot drama in town because her boyfriend is the son of Buttersoft's CEO. Moustress has some personal drama, since she has never told her parents about her superhero identity, and it's not surprising when Katie's mom finds about her antics and wants her to stop training. Is Benito really Owl Guy? Is he coordinating the robots? Who is behind the current threat to the town, and will Katie and her friends (with help from the cat army) be able to stop them?
Strengths: This was an amusing superhero romp, and I liked that fact that Katie struggled with the training. Superheroes have to practice, just like anyone else. The friend drama is all on point; Beth is so much better than Katie that there's some jealousy, and middle school is a time when people make new friends due to new interests, and it's hard to keep everyone happy. The cats' antics are all amusing, and there are plenty of cute cat drawings.
Weaknesses: It's one thing for Katie to not tell her mother about her superhero training, but it bothered me that the other adults were willing to hide it. Purely an adult/parent reaction, of course!
What I really think: My students like this one, but I'm not a cat person. The first two have circulated well, so I will buy the third book. Just not my personal favorite.
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