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mslibrarynerd's review against another edition
4.0
Although it had a slow start, this book eventually hooked me.
sam_fielder_137's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
It was pretty good for a Juvenile book. I know that I'm not the intended audience, so I tried to have that in mind while I was reading. It definitely didn't leave anything as a mystery. I would usually "figure something out" roughly a paragraph before the book outright said what the answer was. Other times, the only way I knew what was going on was because of pure exposition. The main villains' motivations were not understandable, definitely they don't justify the violence that they committed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Although this title suffers from a few plotting issues, it's an interesting mystery and an even more interesting look at an important neighborhood and time. This also speaks to the power and importance of art.
Jin has to do a school project on her neighborhood, and she's stumped. Several ideas appeal to her and then she comes across Alex, a mysterious girl who hands out free Metrocards and collects donations for a food pantry. Maybe they could do something about that? Adding Elvin (who's homeless since his grandfather was attacked in the park where a painting by a Harlem Renaissance artist was found) cements their goal: solving the mystery of the attack and the paintings becomes their project and mission. Along the way, they save the neighborhood form unscrupulous developers. And become friends.
The author has done a good job of introducing the Harlem Renaissance and its main characters, without bogging down the story, and the controversy about the "Harlem on My Mind" exhibit is thought-provoking. The idea of preserving a neighborhood, and that not all change is progress, is an important one for kids to consider. Jin's close adoptive family (protective grandparents) and their bodega are charming; Elvin and his sick mom and newly discovered grandfather, and Alex's desire to distance herself from her wealthy family all add interesting story wrinkles. Although the bad guys are bumbling, there's still real suspense as the kids search for information.
Jin has to do a school project on her neighborhood, and she's stumped. Several ideas appeal to her and then she comes across Alex, a mysterious girl who hands out free Metrocards and collects donations for a food pantry. Maybe they could do something about that? Adding Elvin (who's homeless since his grandfather was attacked in the park where a painting by a Harlem Renaissance artist was found) cements their goal: solving the mystery of the attack and the paintings becomes their project and mission. Along the way, they save the neighborhood form unscrupulous developers. And become friends.
The author has done a good job of introducing the Harlem Renaissance and its main characters, without bogging down the story, and the controversy about the "Harlem on My Mind" exhibit is thought-provoking. The idea of preserving a neighborhood, and that not all change is progress, is an important one for kids to consider. Jin's close adoptive family (protective grandparents) and their bodega are charming; Elvin and his sick mom and newly discovered grandfather, and Alex's desire to distance herself from her wealthy family all add interesting story wrinkles. Although the bad guys are bumbling, there's still real suspense as the kids search for information.
bookishgrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
Super cute mild mystery featuring three vibrant and curious children of color. Great for introducing readers to some of the culture and history of Harlem. An all around fun read!
abibliophobicbibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jesstele's review against another edition
3.0
Liked the setting and the main character, Jin. Learning some of the history of Harlem was great too. Felt the ending was a little too perfect and a lot of the dialogue forced. Overall a good middle grade read.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Jin's adopted Korean grandparents run a neighborhood bodega, Elvin's mom is battling cancer in California, and Alex's family own a high end developer company that she is in constant rebellion against. Between the diversity of the characters and the complexity of the plot -- a decades long missing art puzzle that centers on Harlem, there's a lot to enjoy in this book. It _is_ complicated, and takes a while to really take off, pacing wise, but the community activism is inspiring and the puzzle solving is solid and interesting. The kids take a lot of risks on their quest, and don't keep the adults much informed, but that's more what being a kid used to be. Independence has to happen sometime. I'm not sure what grade they are in (guessing 7th?) and I wish they treated Rose a little better, but on the whole, a solid read.
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
4.0
Rep: All three main characters are POC - 2 Black children and 1 Korean. Multiple Black and POC side characters, present and historical.
I thought the writing was a bit clunky, and three 12 y/o solving a decades-old major heist seems a bit farfetched, but the characters were wonderful and unique, and the story was fascinating. I loved reading about the cultural history of Harlem and appreciated the author's note at the back giving more details about real places and events in Harlem history that appeared in the book. I definitely recommend this book!
I thought the writing was a bit clunky, and three 12 y/o solving a decades-old major heist seems a bit farfetched, but the characters were wonderful and unique, and the story was fascinating. I loved reading about the cultural history of Harlem and appreciated the author's note at the back giving more details about real places and events in Harlem history that appeared in the book. I definitely recommend this book!
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Cute story about a trio of kids who stumble upon a mystery and a conspiracy.
cjeziorski's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fun mystery with a diverse cast of characters; the three main kids are POC. It brings in some history of Harlem in the 20th century and themes of gentrification. The kids were well-conceived characters, and there were some good twists and false leads for a mystery.