Featuring gods and goddesses and, importantly, Muslim heroes, this #OwnVoices tale eerily echoes our pandemic present; but readers will find escape in the entertaining balance of an apocalyptic setting with irreverent humor.
Hampered by bland characters and a missed opportunity to incorporate contemporary topics more deeply into its activist motif, this is not recommended for purchase.
Vivid details and a sympathetic protagonist make this a harrowing but deeply illuminating portrayal of the struggles faced by families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Full of silly situations and characters, this is a great fit for readers moving on from similarly zany chapter book series such as Dav Pilkey’s “Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot” and Tom Angleberger’s “Inspector Flytrap,” or for fans of fellow offbeat UK imports Roald Dahl and David Walliams.
This thoughtful update of Alcott’s classic text features an American Muslim family and deftly balances issues such as microaggressions and cancer treatment with typical middle grade tropes such as sibling rivalry, a first crush, and an early adolescent search for identity