Latasha and the Little Red Tornado - Michael Scotto

Latasha and the Little Red Tornado by Michael Scotto
I was very excited when I learned about this book. In the past few years there have been more early chapter series with young Black female protagonist. Like Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes or Keena Ford by Melissa Thomson. But it's nearly impossible to find stories just beyond that early reader stage with a Black girl as the main character.

At first glance at the cover and summary, I thought Latasha and the Little Red Tornado, would help this unnecessary gap. When my review copy arrived I was not dissappointed. It was exactly what I thought it would be and a wonderful debut. On the second page I learned Latasha is biracial. Scotto doesn't delve into this but its nice to see the author create a character that many young readers will be able to relate to and who probably don't get to see all that often.

8 yr old Latasha lives with her mom and puppy Ella. Latasha is doing her best to train two year old Ella who is still getting into everything. Latasha spends the afternoon with their landlady/downstairs neighbor Mrs.Okocho and hears how loud Ella can get. Afraid that she might lose Ella, Latasha get serious about puppy training.

From the beginning I was really into this story and loved Latasha's voice.

The first paragraph.

"Momma told me that there is a time in a puppy's life right around its second birthday - when it just starts to get it. The puppy starts to listen to you all the time and not just some of the time. She stops crying for food under the table and just patiently waits for a scrap. She realizes that yes, her tail actually is part of her body, and no, she'll probably never catch it. Basically, the puppy stops being a puppy and becomes a dog. Momma said it happens very quickly, like someone flipped a switch in the animal's brain. I wish someone would hit that switch for Ella."

There's so much to like about this story from Latasha's relationship to her mother to Latasha new friendship at school. And of course all that puppy enegry that is Ella. This was so much fun to read. I enjoyed the ending but was bit surprised by it. Don't worry it wasn't in the style of Old Yeller and everyone is smiling inculding Ella.

The chapters are short, about 6 pages per. Evette Gabriel's beautiful illustrations are great and make this story a little more fun for young readers who are in search of novel that are just a little bit longer.

Latasha and the Little Red Tornado comes out November 15th and is published by the newly formed imprint, Mildlandia Press.

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Nerds:Cheerleaders of Doom - Michael Buckley

Nerds:The Cheerleaders of Doom by Michael Buckley
This is book three in National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society series or simply Nerds. Five fifth graders who are teased and bullied are secret government agent. Each member has their weakness tweak by a super computer and turned into their greatest asset. This time Matilda Choi aka Wheezer takes the lead on the case. Wheezer suffers from very bad asthma. Her enhanced inhalers give her many advantages including the ability to fly.

Gerdie Baker a former Nerds members has invented a device that allows her access to alternate realities. The machine is causing many dangerous rips, the end result the different earth come into contact with each other which could mean the end of all the worlds.

The team needs to find Gerdie before she uses her invention one too many times. Choi must go undercover has a cheerleader to flush out Gerdie who has completely changed her physical appearance. One of the things I love about this series, each case challenges the point team member in some way that allows them to grow.

Wheezer sees herself has a very tough, karate and wrestling loving type of girl. The thought of wearing pink or cheerleading makes Wheezer cringe. In the end Wheezer discovers there are no limits to who she is or can be. I truly appreciate that Buckley doesn't beat the reader over the head with lessons learned. It's seamlessly included with all the action and suspense. Fans of the first two books will enjoy this third enstallment just as much. This series can be read out of order. Though this series is so good, I would highly recommend starting from the beginning. Plus the first two books are out in paperback.

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Words in the Dust - Trent Reedy

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

13yr old Zulaikha is a young Afgahnistan girl, she was born with a cleft lip. Zulaikha stepmother treats her poorly. Many boys bully and tease Zulaikha calling her Donkey face. When the American Army comes to An Daral, Zulaikha's small village she might be able to have lip surgery.

Zulaikha is close to her older sister, Zeynab. As the two daughters of the house, they have a lot of responsiblites, including looking after their younger brothers Khalid and Habib's.

Zulaikha's father and older brother Najib are helping to build a new school. Girls aren't allowed to go school. Zulaikha still remembers the letters her mother taught her and wants an education.

I really liked this novel. I got a good sense of Zulaikha and her village. Since Reedy served in the U.S. Army I assumed, the Army would play large part in the story. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the story stayed focused on Zulaikha and her family.

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While I was reading Words in the Dust, I couldn't help but think about Wanting Mor by Ruksana Khan. The main character is also an Afghani girl with a cleft lip. I think the two pair nicely together.