Skateboard Party

October 15, 2014
Richard dreams of landing the perfect flat-ground Ollie, but before he can attempt the daring skateboard feat, he must recover from an earlier trick that he played on his parents by concealing a teacher's note informing his parents of lackluster effort. Ms. Shelby-Ortiz knows that Richard can do better, but Richard just doesn't want to think about it, so he leaves her note buried in his backpack. Eventually, of course, the truth comes out, and there are consequences, chief among them missing the birthday party where he plans to show off his trick. English's longtime collaborator Freeman (the companion Nikki & Deja series) contributes illustrations throughout, often representing critical moments in the story. One memorably depicts Richard struggling with the spelling of q-u-o-t-i-e-n-t in a crucial spelling test in which perfection stands between him and the skate park. While it's clear from the illustrations that Richard and his family are African-American, the text is largely free of cultural signifiers. The story reads much more like an all-American tale of a growing family amid middle-class suburban life than it does of a black middle-class family raising four black boys in the suburbs-an approach that broadens the spectrum of books aimed at young urban boys of color. Readers won't find clear racial depictions, but they'll still giggle at the familial mischief. A welcome series addition that emphasizes familiarity instead of difference and treats its message with an affectionately light hand. (Fiction. 6-10)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 2-5-From "Nikki and Deja" creators (Clarion), the latest entry in their new series focuses on third-grader Richard's desire to show off his skateboarding skills at his friend's birthday, and his inability to keep out of trouble at school. English's on-target storytelling and Freeman's black-and-white spot illustrations make this an accessible work for newly independent readers. The diverse cast of likable and relatable characters will resonate with kids.

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Grades 2-4 Skateboarding is so much more fun than homework, but Richard is soon to realize that the consequences of prioritizing the former over the latter are serious: not being able to attend Greg's party. This, combined with a single-minded parent-teacher alliance and inclement weather, provides the circumstances for Richard to slowly learn his lesson: that it would have been easier to have written the report on howler monkeys in the first place. Fans of Dog Days (2013) will love this delightful addition to the series, as it is full of mischief (pouring soda on a sleeping brother), life lessons (research projects can be fun), and affirmation (skateboarding is really cool). This is a consistently fun read, complete with endearing characters, charming spot illustrations, and satisfying resolutions. Furthermore, it is a much needed story in which African American boys can see themselves visually and textually reflected in a positive light, completely free of the usual tropes of multicultural literature.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)