Hazy Bloom and the Tomorrow Power

January 9, 2017
Third grader Hazel “Hazy” Bloom unexpectedly starts having premonitions of future events in this rambunctious series opener. Hazy’s best friend Elizabeth is certain that this is a bona fide superpower, which seems like a distinct possibility after one of Hazy’s visions prevents an allergic classmate from being stung by a bee. Hamburg (Monkey and Duck Quack Up) gives Hazy an appealingly humorous and sympathetic narrative voice, making it easy to readers to identify with her frustrations, whether it’s trying to decode her visions, the mounting trouble they begin to cause, or dealing with annoying classmates and older siblings. Plenty of questions surrounding Hazy’s newfound ability remain, and readers will look forward to seeing what chaos it brings in future books. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Jennifer De Chiara, Jennifer De Chiara Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rachel Orr, Prospect Agency.

November 1, 2016
When a little girl living in Denver has visions about the future, she discovers her new power has big pluses and minuses in this first of a projected series.Impetuous white third-grader Hazy Bloom aspires to be the first astronaut on Mars and experiments to see how many miniature marshmallows will fit up her nose. One day, Hazy's arms "get prickly and goose bumpy," she feels "kind of hot and cold," and has a weird vision of "little, round, green peas, flying around in midair." Next day in the school cafeteria, a food fight with flying peas breaks out, and Hazy realizes this is what she saw in her vision the day before. Her second vision (of "a big, blue, sparkly number") allows her to save an allergic friend in a sports jersey from a bee sting the following day. As Hazy's cryptic visions continue, her inability to correctly interpret her "tomorrow power" leads to a series of disastrous messes, leaving Hazy to sort out her new ability and resolve the trouble she's created. Hazy's irrepressible, hilarious narration (punctuated with exclamation points and spelling vocabulary words she likes and dislikes) proves fast-paced and amusing. Final art unavailable for review. Likely to engage the primary school set with its madcap humor and unpredictable heroine. (Fiction. 7-10)

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November 1, 2016

Gr 2-4-When third grader Hazy Bloom begins to see visions that come true in the near future, she dubs it her "tomorrow power." Her visions start with one of flying peas, and the very next day, a food fight erupts in the school cafeteria. This quickly paced tale features a well-developed main character and lots of funny scenes, but some may find Hazy's immediate and somewhat casual acceptance of her powers to be less than believable. Hazy's voice is unique, and her quirky personality is showcased on every page through catchphrases and an obsession with spelling words. This is a book about navigating friendships, dealing with issues at school, and coming to terms with one's family. Harney's pictures are charming and add to the humor of the story. VERDICT Recommended as a general purchase.-Kaela Cochran, Lincoln Township Public Library, Stevensville, MI

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2016
Grades 2-4 As the school's spring carnival quickly approaches, third-grader Hazel (Hazy) Bloom and Elizabeth, her BFF, are planning how to construct a cupcake tower. That is, until Hazy begins having what seem like visionsprickly feelings in her fingers and fleeting snapshots of objects and colorsthat foreshadow an event the following day. Hazy's visions get her in trouble at home and at school, where she almost loses her best friend; but in the end, she regains the friendship and saves the spring carnival celebration. Simple vocabulary, short sentences, humor, and the first-person narrative make this school story a prime candidate for a classroom read-aloud, or a good pick for readers getting comfortable with chapter books. Though finished artwork was unseen, sketches and art-to-come boxes hint at the ways the book's many illustrations will mesh with the text. This series starter strikes a nice balance between drama and levity, making for a light, engaging read. Hazy may well be a match for Beverly Cleary's spunky Ramona Quimby.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)