I read a couple of new children's books this week. One is reviewed below which I have to tell you is hysterical. If you have kids, this will be released on September 16th. I believe this is her first book and I know judging from this book, we should be seeing more from her. This writer defines each character with perfection by giving them a natural voice that is believable. I love her writing style and wit. I hope this becomes a character series because the main character is too good to say goodbye to.
Tracking Daddy Down,
by Marybeth Kelsey is too outrageously entertaining.
I couldn’t get to the end fast enough. I fell in love with all the characters, but most especially Billie Wisher. Billie is the daughter of a bank robber and she desperately wants to find him so that she can persuade him to give himself up. Her tenacity and loyalty are commendable, but not without serious consequences. Beneath the humor is a serious lesson that Billie learns when she finds her daddy, and discovers more than she was looking for. You can’t help but chuckle when this mighty master of the mouth speaks. She is the future captain of the debate team without a doubt. Billie made me think of Galadriel(Gilly), from The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson. Both have the same, comical, quick witted, sassy backtalk that you must love because it is so genuinely real. I know we will want to see more of Billie Wisher in future books.
This book would be suitable for a class read aloud in grades 3-6 and for independent readers ages 8-12. Teachers will find this ideally suited for literature circles or readers’ workshop.
