kikireads's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Wow, wow, wow. If there is range of children's literature that gets me the most excited it's the titles coming out of the middle-grade category. This one is a science fiction adventure set in 2048 Atlanta, Georgia. H. D. Hunter pulled on his obvious love for and deep knowledge of the Atlanta community to address matters as individual and personal as new school jitters to broader topics such as ethical issues around privacy and AI technology, gentrification, missing black children, cultural appropriation, and political corruption.
That may sound heavy but the imaginatively splendid worldbuilding of Hunter's words with Khadijah Katib's art made it such a joyful, excited read even when I got a little nervous about how Cameron—the story's smart, imaginative, and vulnerable soft boy protagonist—would figure out how to overcome each new obstacle more intimidating than the last. That theme park was the fully realised tangible creation of a line that rung clearly throughout: The dream is the truth.
A couple of highlights that will remain with me:
Cameron's awkward transitioning to public school after being home schooled kid. I have a special love for Black home schooled kids in literature because certain media would make you think it's just a white religious rural indoctrination system. *loud hiss teeth*
Cameron's parents who treated him like a human being with his own mind and spirit, who instituted a familial practice based on consciously caring for each other. We need more of this writing and we need parents/guardians/elders to read these books the same way they encourage children to.
Readers could start so many great discussions with this book. But at the heart of my reading experience was joy, sheer joy and pure wonder. The dream is the truth!
Thanks to the author for sending me a finished copy. I'm so glad you found me.
That may sound heavy but the imaginatively splendid worldbuilding of Hunter's words with Khadijah Katib's art made it such a joyful, excited read even when I got a little nervous about how Cameron—the story's smart, imaginative, and vulnerable soft boy protagonist—would figure out how to overcome each new obstacle more intimidating than the last. That theme park was the fully realised tangible creation of a line that rung clearly throughout: The dream is the truth.
A couple of highlights that will remain with me:
Cameron's awkward transitioning to public school after being home schooled kid. I have a special love for Black home schooled kids in literature because certain media would make you think it's just a white religious rural indoctrination system. *loud hiss teeth*
Cameron's parents who treated him like a human being with his own mind and spirit, who instituted a familial practice based on consciously caring for each other. We need more of this writing and we need parents/guardians/elders to read these books the same way they encourage children to.
Readers could start so many great discussions with this book. But at the heart of my reading experience was joy, sheer joy and pure wonder. The dream is the truth!
Thanks to the author for sending me a finished copy. I'm so glad you found me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Bullying and Cultural appropriation
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