Freddie Ramos Takes Off (Zapato Power #1)

Designed for early readers, this chapter book includes frequent black-and-white cartoon illustrations featuring kids with outsized round heads...The few Spanish words establish the boy's ethnicity but will be understood in context...An unusually appealing early chapter book

With its cartoon-style black-and-white illustrations and mostly breezy text, this book is tailor-made for the chapter book set

Gr 2-3--Freddie has a single, overworked mom; a soldier father who never came home from war; and an unstable urban landscape in which to play. He finds a pair of winged sneakers that let him run so fast no one can see him, and as he tries to solve the mystery of the shoes' origins, he finds ways to be a hero to those around him. Black-and-white comic-book-style illustrations boost the story's energy and set Freddie up as a superhero. However, the impact of his speed falls a little flat as the author gets caught up in introducing the characters, leaving the bulk of the adventure for the ending. Young readers may lose patience waiting to get to the action. While Freddie fills a gap in most early chapter book collections as a Hispanic hero for new and reluctant readers, most children won't be clamoring for a sequel. "Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.