By Maureen Tai, 11 April 2024

In middle-grade verse novel, No Matter The Distance (ages 8+), eleven-year-old Penny Rooney begins her spring break thinking about the poetry slam competition that’s just been announced, the theme of which is “What I Know About Myself.” Penny knows a lot about her best friend Cricket (brainiac and space enthusiast), her older sister Liana (music lover and nickname generator), and cystic fibrosis (the genetic disorder she was born with). But does Penny know anything about herself?

Out of the blue, a silvery dolphin appears in the creek next to her home, separated from its pod. In the weeks that follow, Penny and the dolphin forge a wondrous connection that ultimately saves the dolphin and allows Penny to discover who she really is. While Penny makes some rather brave (perhaps a little foolhardy) decisions on her own, she is never, ever, alone in the world. A timely reminder in these fractured times to any adult reader (because adults should read this too) that the most important responsibility to any child is to ensure that they are part of a safe and loving family and community.

This well crafted and masterfully written novel does not shy away from describing the precarity of living with a life-shortening genetic condition. What makes this verse novel outstanding is that the author manages to convey so many difficult truths, yet finely balance it throughout with a heartfelt and inspiring message of hope. A truly wonderful read.

Ages 8 and up.

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!

By Maureen Tai, 12 October 2023

We wouldn’t normally review another book in a series but Black (ages 8+), even though it proclaims itself as Book II to Brown (which we read, loved and reviewed several years ago), stands very much on its own two feet, thank you very much. This middle grade, heavily-illustrated, realistic fiction book is about the well-meaning but slightly dim-witted Jack, who becomes smitten with an alluring, yet standoffish newcomer to his town. In a bid to win the heart of his Lady Love, Jack concocts a dubious plan involving the theft of the Mayor’s prizewinning chicken. As his scheme quickly unravels, Jack must enlist the aid of his good friends, dependable Rusty and clever Lou. Transforming into their alter ego superhero selves, the three children race to solve the mystery of the kidnapped chicken while making the front page news in the process. Jack’s story is quirky, well-paced and fun, and the deadpan humour and seemingly unfinished illustrations will have you in stitches (we were laughing so hard at one point that we were crying). A perfect chapter book for emerging and reluctant readers.

For ages 8 and up.

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!