nonfiction

“… Bink and Gollie’s second adventure
won’t disappoint. Utterly chuckle-worthy, charming
and (thank goodness) still refreshing.”
from bink & gollie
is offering to assist Eleysia. A secret dalliance with an apothecary’s
apprentice named Micah, who isn’t what or who he
claims to be, while disguised as a servant girl adds to Riese’s
adventure and her problems as war and treachery come to a
head. A veteran writer of licensed properties, Cox (working
from a concept by series creators Ryan Copple and Kaleena
Kiff) does an excellent job telling an entertaining tale with a
known, less-than-happy conclusion by enclosing it within an
envelope set in the TV series’ present. An interesting world
and exciting conflicts make up for some predictable characterizations.
Boy-girl liplock in the altogether and some graphic
battles may raise the lower end of the appropriate audience
higher than the publisher’s stated 12, but this is definitely a
treat for teen and adult fans of the show.
Game of Thrones–lite powered by steam. (Fantasy. 14 & up)
THE TAMING OF LILAH MAY
Curtis, Vanessa
Frances Lincoln (192 pp.)
$8.99 paperback | May 1, 2012
978-1-84780-149-4
In this British import, Lilah May
has major anger-management issues, but
perhaps she’s come by them honestly.
Lilah used to be a mild, sweet-natured
child who shared a loving relationship
with her older brother, Jay, and appeared
destined to never present a problem to anyone. Now, at 15, she
dresses mostly in black, tells off teachers regularly enough to
make her classmates groan and responds to almost every overture
of help with uncontrollable rage. She gradually reveals the
source of her unpleasant metamorphosis: Jay ran away two years
ago, after she told their parents a secret about his deteriorating
behavior. He hasn’t been seen since and may well be dead.
She feels total responsibility, and though it’s quite clear to readers
that the problem was always his alone, her obvious pain is
believable. Lilah shows plenty of insight into her behavior but,
annoyingly, seems more willing to wallow in dysfunction than
try to change. Only her best friend Bindi’s growing problems
and some hints about Jay’s situation help her begin to resolve
her issues. Bindi’s coming crisis neatly sets up the sequel, but it
also helps to slide this effort further toward soap-opera status.
While reading the book is a bit like watching a train
wreck, readers may stick with it just to discover what’s happened
to Lilah’s brother. (Fiction. 12 & up)
NO MORE KISSES
FOR BERNARD!
Daly, Niki
Illus. by Daly, Niki
Frances Lincoln (28 pp.)
$17.99 | May 1, 2012
978-1-84780-105-0
Four squeaky, sticky, sneaky and smoochy aunts are too, too
much for birthday boy Bernard.
Everyone loves the boy to bits, but the aunts with their uberaffection
lead him to open rebellion. Alas, not even donning a
Spiderman outfit with helmet and sword saves him on his big
day. Aunt Tallulah flips the visor and plants a “fat, smudgy one
right on his nose!” Chastised by the other aunts, she apologizes,
sort of, by asking for “a little huggles.” The saddened aunts do
come up with a solution when the aforementioned Tallulah
offers a paper kiss, leading to an afternoon of craft activities.
Bernard has an artistic bent and is well equipped with glitter
and glue. Still, the aunts have not destroyed his sweet nature. At
bedtime, he gives his parents “a nice-and-simple / peck-on-the
dimple.” Veteran author and illustrator Daly uses cartoon-style
digital art to illustrate his diverse family assembly and one very
appealing dachshund. He also pays homage to modern artists by
displaying an interesting assortment of paintings on the white
walls. A big, bold type highlights Bernard’s objections, while
speech bubbles underscore the aunts’ exhortations.
An amusing look at a childhood dilemma, nicely resolved.
(Picture book. 3-8)
LIA’S GUIDE TO
WINNING
THE LOTTERY
David, Keren
Frances Lincoln (352 pp.)
$16.99 | May 1, 2012
978-1-84780-331-3
Lia Latimer is more than ready to
take her future in her own hands when
she wins eight million pounds in the lottery.
She’ll drop out of school, buy a flat,
leave her annoying family behind. What
could go wrong
Plenty, of course, and watching it unfold in this astringent,
insightful satire is a major treat. Her father’s struggling bakery
needs a cash infusion; her mother would like a boob job; sister
Natasha longs for singing lessons. Jack (the winning ticket
was his 16th-birthday present to Lia) wants an Italian motor
bike; his mother demands half Lia’s winnings. Some seek support
for worthy causes, but unlike Shazia, who won’t let Lia give
her anything (Islam rejects gambling), most classmates expect
presents. Financing their shopping spree (£7,000) doesn’t prevent
a Facebook-fueled anti-Lia movement. Her romance with
mysterious, gorgeous Raf is a bright spot—unless he’s just after
her winnings. Lia (self-centered control freak, yes, but smart,
honest and likable) makes a refreshingly assertive heroine for
affluenza-ridden times, discovering that too many choices can
be almost as immobilizing as having none. The text is peppered
with British terms and cultural references, but readers raised on
Harry Potter should have no problems.
Tart, funny and fast-moving, with a touch of rueful
realism and a lot of heart. (Fiction. 12 & up)
TEMPEST UNLEASHED
Deebs, Tracy
Walker (400 pp.)
$16.99 | Jun. 5, 2012
978-08027-2830-2
Series: Tempest (Deebs), 2
Deebs’ half-human mermaid princess
fights the evil sea witch and juggles
boyfriends in this continuation of the
Tempest series.
In this first sequel, Tempest misses
her family and longs to visit her home on land. She worries that
her selkie-prince boyfriend, Kona, won’t be allowed to marry
her. Meanwhile the war with the powerful witch Tiamat heats
up, with Tempest prophesied to be the only one who can defeat
her. Tempest goes home and meets her old boyfriend, Mark,
reviving her interest in him. When her little brother lies near
death, however, it’s Kona who saves the day. Returning to the
sea, Tempest at last must use a newfound power to battle the sea
witch. The overdone romance plot matches the overdone suspense
plot, with Tempest equally drawn to both boys, each with
the ability to kiss her into instant ecstasy. Deebs frequently
resorts to italics for emphasis and doesn’t trouble herself to
achieve any semblance of realism. Tempest can bounce back
into a strenuous physical fight even after losing half her blood
less than a day earlier. When Tempest has lost her bikini bottoms
(necessary when she switches from tail to legs), Kona just
happens to have some handy. It’s all standard stuff.
For fans only. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)
THE MANY FACES
OF MAX / LAS MUCHAS
CARAS DE MAX
Del Monte, Katherine
Illus. by Arena, Susan
Lectura (24 pp.)
$8.95 paperback | May 1, 2012
978-1-60448-025-2
A gentle, extremely simple story shows
various emotions experienced by a beloved family pet, with parallel
texts in English and Spanish.
Max is a large, tan dog with darker brown markings, well
loved by the little girl and boy who own him. Each page of the
story focuses on a different feeling or action voiced briefly by
the dog, with each emotion reflected on his expressive face. He
feels silly, laughs with his friends, cries when he is hurt and is
joyful when his family returns. Young children who are becoming
aware of their own emotions and the feelings of others will
learn the words that describe their own emotions as they follow
Max through his day, with a feel-good ending showing how
much he is loved. Bold illustrations in a naive, childlike style
use broad brushstrokes, with a close focus showing the texture
of the paint and canvas. The simplicity of the story, engaging
illustrations and dual English/Spanish text offer a wide range of
uses for this attractive offering. Bilingual classrooms, libraries
and beginning Spanish classes will all find a place for Max and
his spectrum of feelings.
“Max is always loveable. / Max siempre es muy simpático.”
(Bilingual picture book. 2-8)
BINK & GOLLIE
Two for One
DiCamillo, Kate & McGhee, Alison
Illus. by Fucile, Tony
Candlewick (96 pp.)
$15.99 | Jun. 1, 2012
978-0-7636-3361-5
Winsome duo Bink and Gollie are
back, this time zipping through a day at
the state fair (Bink & Gollie, 2010).
Messy-mopped Bink goes immediately to the Whack-a-
Duck game. After all, the prize is the world’s largest donut. In
a brilliant spread that shows every step of her comical windup,
Bink’s pitch explodes with energy. She is endearingly hopeful,
but … not exactly on target. The next chapter is Gollie’s
turn to shine. She enters the talent show with stars in her eyes.
But when she opens her mouth on stage, nothing comes out—
though her expressions are priceless. Luckily there is a much
more forgiving audience right around the corner. The last story
showcases Bink and Gollie together. Madame Prunely tells
them their fortune. (“Destiny” asks Bink. “Is it a ride” / “In a
manner of speaking,” replies Gollie.) However, these two best
friends don’t need to hear much about their future. They have
each other and that’s all that matters. It’s difficult to match the
exuberance of first meeting (or reading) this winning pair, but
Bink and Gollie’s second adventure won’t disappoint. Utterly
chuckle-worthy, charming and (thank goodness) still refreshing.
Friendships can be tricky to navigate, but if youngsters
find half of the joy and loyalty of this pair, they’ll be set.
(Early reader. 6-8)
850 | 15 april 2012 | children’s & teen | kirkusreviews.com |
| kirkusreviews.com | children’s & teen | 15 april 2012 | 851