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nobookendinsight's review
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
missmeganmann's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This installment was so great! First we have this clever story about how she got her siblings to help and SHE saved the day, then we have one about resilience, and then the third story is about realizing you have to be grateful for what you have and envy works in weird ways. Great collection.
redang's review against another edition
4.0
A nice, simplistic look into life as the extremely poor in Nigeria. This book shows the family dynamic of 3 siblings and their grandmommy, who is raising them. A good read for second and third graders to give them some basic insight into what it is like in other countries.
mldavisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Early chapter book, contemporary realistic fiction. Tola is a young girl who lives with her grandmother, older brother Dapo, and older sister Moji in Lagos, Nigeria. These books are told in vignettes, with three stories per book.
The first story centers around chores. While Grandmommy sells groundnuts on the street corner, the children are to clean out the stones from the bag of cheap rice. But Moji is studying and Dapo is practicing football (soccer). But when Grandmommy's heirloom earring goes missing, it is Tola that saves the day.
In the second story, Grandmommy gets sick with a bad fever. The neighbor helps Tola get malaria medicine from the pharmacy, but it takes all of the family's savings. While their grandmother is sick, the children take up her job as a street hawker to be able to buy food. Dapo would rather hang out with the mechanics though.
The last story has Tola experiencing a bit of jealousy as she sees girls with fine shoes, jeans, and hair. But when Grandmommy braids her hair and Tola gets to go out with it, her happiness has some of those girls actually envying her.
These stories are full of love and culture. I listened on audio so I didn't get to see the illustrations but I did enjoy them in the first book. Beautiful series and I look forward to more.
The first story centers around chores. While Grandmommy sells groundnuts on the street corner, the children are to clean out the stones from the bag of cheap rice. But Moji is studying and Dapo is practicing football (soccer). But when Grandmommy's heirloom earring goes missing, it is Tola that saves the day.
In the second story, Grandmommy gets sick with a bad fever. The neighbor helps Tola get malaria medicine from the pharmacy, but it takes all of the family's savings. While their grandmother is sick, the children take up her job as a street hawker to be able to buy food. Dapo would rather hang out with the mechanics though.
The last story has Tola experiencing a bit of jealousy as she sees girls with fine shoes, jeans, and hair. But when Grandmommy braids her hair and Tola gets to go out with it, her happiness has some of those girls actually envying her.
These stories are full of love and culture. I listened on audio so I didn't get to see the illustrations but I did enjoy them in the first book. Beautiful series and I look forward to more.
ego8's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
alisa4books's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful story about a young girl growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. The main character and her family are written about with dignity, clarity and tenderness. A glimpse into another world.
dovedovington's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
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