A charming and action-packed romp with a powerful historical perspective.
A trio of Afro-Caribbean cousins in New York City come to terms with their powers in this sequel to Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos (2024).
When Uncle Andrew gets the opportunity of a lifetime—being featured in an upcoming exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum—he explains to Aidan, his son, and Misty and Brooke, his nieces, that he’s hoping to incorporate one of the famed Benin Bronzes into his art. The cousins inherited moko magic, each gaining one-third of their Trini family’s fantastical legacy, which was passed down from a West African ancestor. While Aidan’s healing powers and Brooke’s ability to manifest purple bubbles of protection are helpful in their new adventure, the action kicks off with Misty’s visions and a mysterious familial connection to the bronzes, which were looted in the 19th century from present-day Nigeria. Baptiste cleverly and effectively deploys seemingly minor set pieces to build suspense and tension, presenting readers with an enchanting take on Pan-Africanism. Brooke’s budding interest in art activism and history offers a provocative primer on provenance and on colonizers’ pillaging and theft. A dangerous magical incident involving Uncle Andrew offers a smart metaphor for how anger can become all-consuming. Misty is an admirable and compassionate hero who, with help from her loved ones, ensures that cultural and personal memories are not only preserved but cherished.
A charming and action-packed romp with a powerful historical perspective. (author’s note, glossary) (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781368075374
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Freedom Fire/Disney
Review Posted Online: July 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
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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