Review by Booklist Review
Though she's excited by the possibility of performing, second-grader Lola Levine's stage fright earns her a nonspeaking part. Her flamboyant Florida grandmother (Bubbe) flies in to see her, anyhow. It's a good thing, too, because when things start to go wrong, Bubbe dramatically rescues Lola from an embarrassing costume accident. Lola is an appealing biracial character, who is impulsive and energetic. Her dreams of stardom and the reality of her paralyzing nervousness will be familiar to many readers, as will the feeling of having a slightly annoying little brother. Episodic first-person chapters bring in Dolores Huerta's campaign for farm workers, the folly of making fun of someone's name, and the sad result of blowing too-big chewing gum bubbles. Gray-scale drawings support the text, except when brother Ben, described as pony-tailed like his father, is shown with a tightly curled mop. Readers who met first Lola in Lola Levine Is Not Mean (2015) will be pleased to see her in a new role. This sequel should win her new fans.--Isaacs, Kathleen Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-Effervescent seven-year-old Lola Levine tackles life with energy, bubbling-over enthusiasm, and her best friend, Josh, at her side. In this second book in the series, Lola and her classmates learn that they will attend drama class two days a week and perform in a play. Although she has been called dramatic, Lola isn't quite sure what she thinks of acting. When she auditions for a part, she is struck by stage fright and has to settle for the nonspeaking role of Squirrel #2. Thankfully, her artistic parents and her visiting Bubbe are right there to cheer her on. Readers will find much to love in Lola and her nurturing family. Dominguez's illustrations provide just the right touch to enhance the story. VERDICT This multicultural chapter book is a wonderful addition to public and school libraries. Highly recommended for fans of Sara Pennypacker's "Clementine" series (Hyperion).-Laura Fields Eason, Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School, Bowling Green, KY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
