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mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
3.0
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-CycleA cute graphic novel with a simple story and a cast of wonderful female characters who each act as a great role model. This is a fun book that involves girls exploring scientific, mathematical, and otherwise "geeky" interests as they work together to help their school.Nice book overall with cute illustrations. One of the really cool things about this book is that it was written by a team, comprised of 12-year-old Lucy Lareau and her mother, Liz Laraeu. If that's not the makings of a splendid, empowering book, then I don't know what it.Because it was written by a young person (or perhaps because it is targeted to a younger audience), I found parts of the book awkwardly written and slow. On the whole, I thought the pace could have been a bit quicker for a story this simple.However, it is a great book to motivate and inspire young readers, especially those with scientific interests and career aspirations.The book also contains a preview for Dinosaur Explorers Vol. 1: Prehistoric Pioneers at the end.
eatreadbreathe's review against another edition
2.0
Illustrations are cute and the story has really positive messages about friendship, bullying, etc., but the storyline was a little lacking. Sure, the positive messages are wonderful ones, but at times they seemed contrived, as if the story was an after-thought. The inclusion of the cat, Hubble's, thoughts was also awkward and distracting.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
The book starts with Lucy preparing for a new day at school. It starts off okay, meeting her friend Zara "Zeke" Kumar in line and then discovering that they are in the same pod (desks grouped together). Unfortunately, a monkey bar breaks, Lucy is injured, and it leads the principal to completely shut down the playground during recess. With the help of her new friends, Lucy decides to raise the funds to get a new playground. But the sixth graders don't want the team to succeed; they like having the playground to themselves.
It's a bit cheesy and the "Girl Power" is a little ... unsubtle, but overall an enjoyable read.
It's a bit cheesy and the "Girl Power" is a little ... unsubtle, but overall an enjoyable read.
raoionna's review against another edition
4.0
Informative ~ Age-appropriate ~ Accurate
tl; dr: Kids learn about butterflies.
This book feels a little manufactured, or like when someone sneaks vegetables in brownies. It has that "it's good for you vibe." If you get over that, it does give really solid information about extinction and butterflies. I get the feeling this would be ideal in a school setting when a teacher needs to assign science reading for common core and students are reticent to read.
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
tl; dr: Kids learn about butterflies.
This book feels a little manufactured, or like when someone sneaks vegetables in brownies. It has that "it's good for you vibe." If you get over that, it does give really solid information about extinction and butterflies. I get the feeling this would be ideal in a school setting when a teacher needs to assign science reading for common core and students are reticent to read.
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
jkenna's review against another edition
4.0
This is a super cute book that is all about friendship and teamwork. Our story starts off when Lucy falls on her schools old dilapidated playground and hurts her knees. This leads the school to close the playground and tear it down because to to many children were getting hurt on it. Lucy blames herself but her friends convince her that it's not her fault that the playground closed. They go on a mission to raise money to build a new playground for the school. They do all sorts of fundraising activities to raise the $20,000 that they need for the new playground. Will they make it? You'll have to find that out for yourself!
I really liked the diversity in this book as well. The parents are involved (mostly Lucy's since she is the MC), Lucy has an adopted sister, one of the other character's brother is in a wheelchair, there are all sort of skin tones among the friend group as well which is fantastic. I think this would be a great addition to any juvenile graphic novel section of a library.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
I really liked the diversity in this book as well. The parents are involved (mostly Lucy's since she is the MC), Lucy has an adopted sister, one of the other character's brother is in a wheelchair, there are all sort of skin tones among the friend group as well which is fantastic. I think this would be a great addition to any juvenile graphic novel section of a library.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
After finishing this book, I turned to my brother who teaches science and told him to get a copy. Do I need to say anything else?
Really?
Okay, this book is about five girls who become friends because they are all a bit geeky, smart, and most seem to want to go into STEM fields. I say most because Lucy is unsure, but it is made clear that being unsure is okay. They are not just science nerds. They have other interests as well (such as fashion and singing), and they know history. They go to a school named after Amelia Earhart after all.
The group is diverse, as anyone can see from the cover, and last names included Martinez and Kumar. One girl is even adopted. While parents are very much in the background, suggests are made about the parents – A.J.’s father, for instance, works in robotics. While none of the girls is physically disabled, family members are.
The plot of the story centers around fixing the school’s playground as well as dealing with stupid boys who believe girls can’t be coders. The playground plot is interesting because one of the girls, Lucy, blames herself for it being closed to students. Her friends refuse to buy into that train of thought and are supportive of her.
There is also a cat called Hubble. He talks like a cat. There is also a bit end that gives more information about the famous women mentioned in the book. Additionally, at a time where women who either act or like Star Wars are being targeted by “fanboys”, it is nice to read a book where the girls like Star Wars.
Highly recommended.
After finishing this book, I turned to my brother who teaches science and told him to get a copy. Do I need to say anything else?
Really?
Okay, this book is about five girls who become friends because they are all a bit geeky, smart, and most seem to want to go into STEM fields. I say most because Lucy is unsure, but it is made clear that being unsure is okay. They are not just science nerds. They have other interests as well (such as fashion and singing), and they know history. They go to a school named after Amelia Earhart after all.
The group is diverse, as anyone can see from the cover, and last names included Martinez and Kumar. One girl is even adopted. While parents are very much in the background, suggests are made about the parents – A.J.’s father, for instance, works in robotics. While none of the girls is physically disabled, family members are.
The plot of the story centers around fixing the school’s playground as well as dealing with stupid boys who believe girls can’t be coders. The playground plot is interesting because one of the girls, Lucy, blames herself for it being closed to students. Her friends refuse to buy into that train of thought and are supportive of her.
There is also a cat called Hubble. He talks like a cat. There is also a bit end that gives more information about the famous women mentioned in the book. Additionally, at a time where women who either act or like Star Wars are being targeted by “fanboys”, it is nice to read a book where the girls like Star Wars.
Highly recommended.
ramblingoutloud's review against another edition
4.0
This graphic novel centers around Lucy, her sister and her 3 new friends. When the playground at school is rendered useless and the school can't afford to build a new one, the friends steps up to the task of raising the money. The problem is, some students don't want them to succeed.
It's at story about the stereotypes surrounding girls and women, about bullying, about standing up for what you believe in. It's a good book, challenging and discussing the problems of being raised and living in the patriarchy we do. It does tend to become a bit "text book" and "we can do it", though. I don't know if it's because it needs to be spelled out for the younger kids reading this or if the author tries to hard, but it's for a good cause, I guess.
The illustrations really fit the story and I loved the cat, Hubble. It's a great story for middle grade-kids!
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for letting me read this book!
It's at story about the stereotypes surrounding girls and women, about bullying, about standing up for what you believe in. It's a good book, challenging and discussing the problems of being raised and living in the patriarchy we do. It does tend to become a bit "text book" and "we can do it", though. I don't know if it's because it needs to be spelled out for the younger kids reading this or if the author tries to hard, but it's for a good cause, I guess.
The illustrations really fit the story and I loved the cat, Hubble. It's a great story for middle grade-kids!
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for letting me read this book!
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