Lark Holds the Key

Key words: mixed race. Dyslexic. Twin. Girl. Private investigator. But the real question is: can she find the missing key to the library?Although there are many labels that could be placed on this short chapter book's protagonist, none of them matter to the plucky little heroine who loves to read. Lark Ba pops awake at 5:00 a.m. because she and her twin brother, Connor, are going to the library. But Mrs. Robinson has lost the key, and the library is not open! Lark's insatiable appetite for learning makes her uniquely qualified to solve this mystery. Deen pens her first chapter book with a simple plot through which Lark's character is explored. In first person, Lark explains the names of her paternal, Korean grandmother (Halmoni) and her maternal, Kenyan grandfather (Babu). Cutler's illustrations depict these racial distinctions, but Lark goes through life just like many other sassy little heroines. She doesn't even see the slight when a blonde, white girl named Sophie calls her "Baa baa Lark sheep." Brother Connor, with the right amount of eye-rolling, provides the balance to this lively character, and the subjects of race and learning disabilities are incorporated neatly. Endnotes discuss some of the words Lark ponders. Lark is a mixed-race girl debuting a lighthearted series; with a little effort, she may develop into a character with a fan base, like Ramona and Clementine before her. (Fiction. 6-9) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2016

Gr 1-3-Lark Ba has ants in her pants, but not real ants, because, as she states, "that would be gross." She also has a younger brother. Ten minutes younger, that is. Like Judy Moody and Piper Green, Lark Ba is spunky and ambitious. When Lark's family visits the library, or the "Temple of Secrets," they discover it is closed because Mrs. Robinson lost the library key. Lark is determined to solve the mystery and locate the key, and she asks Mrs. Robinson to retrace her steps. When that approach fails, the others resign themselves to calling a locksmith. Not willing to leave any stone unturned, Lark continues to envision the key's whereabouts. Most noteworthy about this early chapter book may be the way Deen embraces and simply defines new vocabulary, a critical skill for kids at this reading level. Often this takes place in the context of the story, such as when Lark describes dyslexia. Other times, readers are given clues to uncover the new word, with answers in the back matter. Swahili and Korean words integrated seamlessly into the story help readers learn more about Lark's background. VERDICT A problem-solving adventure led by a lovable character and enhanced with vocabulary lessons: there is much to celebrate in this story. Lark Ba is a welcome addition to early chapter book heroines.-Beth Parmer, New Albany Elementary Library, OH

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