Booklist
"An inspiring story about how one voice can make a difference and how people can come together not just for something good but for something even better."
From the Publisher
"Fun but earnest, this rhyming romp reminds readers that one young person can make a difference."—Kirkus Review
"An inspiring story about how one voice can make a difference and how people can come together not just for something good but for something even better." —Booklist
Booklist
"An inspiring story about how one voice can make a difference and how people can come together not just for something good but for something even better."
DECEMBER 2019 - AudioFile
Lively music and narrator Marisa Blake’s bright voice will delight listeners in this audiobook about standing up for what is right. Sofia Valdez is a second-grade community helper and a welcome addition to Beaty’s Questioneers series. Sofia and her Abuelo love to stroll their neighborhood together—until the day their dog charges off and Abuelo hurts himself in the city’s landfill. Blake’s inspiring tone conveys Sofia’s excitement over her idea to transform the landfill into a public park, her courage while making her proposal at city hall, and her realization that “being brave means doing the thing you must do.” Fun sound effects are used to create a city soundscape, while rhythmic music complements the pacing of the story. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2019-11-24
Sofia Valdez proves that community organizers of any age can have a positive impact.
After a trash-heap eyesore causes an injury to her beloved abuelo, Sofia springs into action to bring big change to her neighborhood. The simple rhymes of the text follow Sofia on her journey from problem through ideas to action as she garners community support for an idyllic new park to replace the dangerous junk pile. When bureaucracy threatens to quash Sofia's nascent plan, she digs deep and reflects that "being brave means doing the thing you must do, / though your heart cracks with fear. / Though you're just in Grade Two." Sofia's courage yields big results and inspires those around her to lend a hand. Implied Latinx, Sofia and her abuelo have medium brown skin, and Sofia has straight brown hair (Abuelo is bald). Readers will recognize Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, and Ada Twist from Beaty's previous installments in the Questioneers series making cameo appearances in several scenes. While the story connects back to the title and her aptitude for the presidency in only the second-to-last sentence of the book, Sofia's leadership and grit are themes throughout. Roberts' signature illustration style lends a sense of whimsy; detailed drawings will have readers scouring each page for interesting minutiae.
Fun but earnest, this rhyming romp reminds readers that one young person can make a difference. (Picture book. 5-8)
