Review: Cheerful Action/Adventure for a New Reader
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 14, 2014
Aimed squarely at seven and eight year old readers, (with a nine year old heroine), this book has a lot of fun with spy/action hero conventions and adds a bit of geography and art appreciation just to sweeten the mix. The subtitle is "Cool Adventure Book for Kids", and that pretty fairly sums it up.The author, wisely, does not over reach. The plot is clear and straightforward, (a disappointed artist is stealing masterpieces and replacing them with his own terrible versions of the originals). There aren't a lot of characters, (the Mite family and a few other helpful spies). There aren't too many gadgets, (and the best weapon is natural yogurt). The story isn't set up to be zany or frantic or so cleverly over-the-top that it just becomes silly and precious. Rather, Dynah finds out she's from a spy family and is sent out on her first mission. She is a pleasant and bright kid, and has not been saddled with any colorful but distracting quirks. There is a lot of mild humor and some funny good-natured observations about parents, (Dynah's mother sends her on her first mission with a toothbrush and toothpaste, and clean socks). There is some mild danger, a lot of action and excitement, and a tidy finish. There are no awkward developments or odd bits where you wonder why the author went where he went. It's all fun and light and cheerful.I think the secret to these very early reader action books is to keep the readers involved and interested, but not to overload them with manic over-writing. It's a hard line to walk - not too cartoony but also not so hip or ironic or full of inside jokes that the reader doesn't really get it. And Jay Bright walks that line well. The book is tightly written. Vocabulary is varied but age appropriate. The narrative is direct and easy to follow, but it's not all just short, direct, present tense sentences. A kid can read and understand and enjoy this story, and feel at the end that he/she has read a real book.So, not to over analyze - this is fun, good-humored, and a very solid action tale for a new reader.Please note that I found this book while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.