Description
Take Pippi Longstocking’s joie de vivre, blend it with a 21st century urban setting, toss in a dog named Otto for good measure and what do you get? This joyfully carefree story about two unlikely friends.
It’s a pair of silver sequined sneakers that unexpectedly flips Emily’s comfortable, predictable world upside down. Or, more precisely, it’s the girl wearing them. The shoes belong to Rani, who moves into Emily’s apartment building—and her life—with absolutely no one but her dog Otto. (Her research scientist mother is away in Patagonia.) And that’s only the first rule that Emily watches Rani break without hesitation.
But it’s not just that Rani breaks rules. Most of the time, she doesn’t seem to know the rules exist. Why can’t she bungee jump off their building? Or bring an ice cream truck to school? For steady and orderly Emily, Rani’s approach to life feels impossible . . . and more than a little irresistible. But is there a place for her in Rani’s world? And should she find a way to make space for Rani in her own?
Reviews
“With wild, imaginative flair, fourth-grader Rani is a bit Pippi Longstocking, while her propensity to take language literally is a bit Amelia Bedelia. And like those fictional favorites, she’ll definitely appeal to readers. . . . The multicultural crew and Vogel’s bouncy line drawings keep the story contemporary, lighthearted, and fun.”—Booklist
“Readers will treasure the blossoming friendship between opposites in this whimsically illustrated tale. Short chapters and plenty of action make for an accessible and appealing reading experience. . . . Touching and inspiring.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Fast-paced episodes, nimbly captured in b&w comic-strip-style cartoons from Vogel (Too Much Slime!), keep things moving as Thomson (Wombat Underground) showcases Rani’s vivid imagination and, in affectionate prose, the way her welcoming attitude brings community to the fore.”—Publishers Weekly
“[An] entertaining story. . . . The characters are appealing and children will admire Rani’s resourcefulness and quirky sense of humor.”—School Library Connection
More Details
BISAC 1: JUV039060 Juvenile Fiction – Social Themes – Friendship
BISAC 2: JUV019000 Juvenile Fiction – Humorous Stories
BISAC 3: JUV014000 Juvenile Fiction – Girls & Women