bookjunkie57's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: Absolute Hero
Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: I am a fan of the illustrator’s work.
Media Type: Hardcover
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 3/5/22 - 4/14/22
Stars: 3
The Characters:
Izzy Newton:
:
Allie Einstein, Charlie Darwin, Marie, Gina (who are also named for famous scientist but I don’t have my notes with me and I can’t remember who)
The Story:
Overall I found this book cute and adorable. Something I can see a family reading together. Izzy and her friends are starting sixth grade. There is a new (to them), bigger school, new kids and an old friend coming back from sometime overseas. They all learn to work together to figure out solutions to the school's problems and they work together as a team. As someone who works in a middle school I have reasonable doubt to the kids free access to the building but it’s fiction so I let it go.
Writing: Good. It was a cute and fun story.
Forward Motion: The story moved along well.
Overall Interest: I think if I were sharing this story with a child it would have held my interest more but I am not the intended audience so I am not surprised it did not hold my interest well.
Length of Reading Time: This took way longer than it should have for the number of pages. I point to my lack of interest.
Re-read-ability: None
Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: I am a fan of the illustrator’s work.
Media Type: Hardcover
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 3/5/22 - 4/14/22
Stars: 3
The Characters:
Izzy Newton:
:
Allie Einstein, Charlie Darwin, Marie, Gina (who are also named for famous scientist but I don’t have my notes with me and I can’t remember who)
The Story:
Overall I found this book cute and adorable. Something I can see a family reading together. Izzy and her friends are starting sixth grade. There is a new (to them), bigger school, new kids and an old friend coming back from sometime overseas. They all learn to work together to figure out solutions to the school's problems and they work together as a team. As someone who works in a middle school I have reasonable doubt to the kids free access to the building but it’s fiction so I let it go.
Writing: Good. It was a cute and fun story.
Forward Motion: The story moved along well.
Overall Interest: I think if I were sharing this story with a child it would have held my interest more but I am not the intended audience so I am not surprised it did not hold my interest well.
Length of Reading Time: This took way longer than it should have for the number of pages. I point to my lack of interest.
Re-read-ability: None
katiemack's review
4.0
I'm glad to see a book that features girls solving problems through a STEM lens!
While not always realistic(at one point the girls get "accidental" access to the roof and manage to solve a thermostat problem by removing a hot light bulb) , the science themes feel inherently natural to the story rather than being forced in to be cutesy (though the names--Izzy Newton, Charlie Darwin, Marie Curie, and Allie Einstein--are all delightful), and there's plenty of friend drama to keep things interesting. While it would be great if the author were a person of color, most of the characters in the book are; Izzy (the main character) and Gina (a side character) are drawn with brown skin; Charlie is depicted as Latinx; and the librarian is Nigerian.
While not always realistic
raethereviewer's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a great story for girls interested in STEM. Perfect for fans of The Babysitters Club and Girls Who Code.
pages_and_procrastination's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
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