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Nova Kids #1
Poppy Mayberry, The Monday
What if your teacher could read your mind just because she was born on a Thursday? Or the kid next to you in class could turn back the clock just because he was a 'Wednesday''? In the quirky town of Nova, all of this is normal, but one thing is not---Poppy Mayberry. As an almost-eleven-year-old Monday, she should be able to pass notes in class or brush her dog, Pickle, without lifting a finger. But her Monday telekinesis still has some kinks, and that plate of spaghetti she's passing may just end up on someone's head. And if that's not hard enough, practically perfect Ellie Preston is out to get her, and Principal Wible wants to send her to remedial summer school to work on her powers! It's enough to make a girl want to disappear...if only she were a Friday.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2016
14 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 16, 2017
I received a review copy from Chapter by Chapter in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a cute little story! I haven't read middle-grade books in so long and this is one of the best I've ever read.
I really like the whole "weekday powers" thing. The day of the week you're born on determines what powers you have, and that is so cool, really. I was born on a Friday, meaning if I was a resident of Nova, I would be able to disappear! (Who needs the invisibility cloak when you can make yourself disappear?)
Poppy, the narrator of the story, is such a nice girl. She's got a wicked sense of humor and BONUS: SHE HAS A YORKIE NAMED PICKLE AND BRINGS HER TO SUMMER SCHOOL! Another fellow animal lover <3 I really enjoyed reading the story from her perspective.
At first, I didn't like Ellie, Poppy's enemy, because she seems so snobby. She keeps a nail file with her at all times and keeps on re-applying her nail polish. Everything she owns is pink (PINK 😍 I LOVE PINK). At last, she turns out to be not so bad (pink lovers can do no wrong) and becomes super nice.
At the end, Poppy and Ellie try to understand each other and at last learn to accept each other and even become friends. It's really sweet and I love the ending so much! Looking forward to reading Book Two :)
This is such a cute little story! I haven't read middle-grade books in so long and this is one of the best I've ever read.
I really like the whole "weekday powers" thing. The day of the week you're born on determines what powers you have, and that is so cool, really. I was born on a Friday, meaning if I was a resident of Nova, I would be able to disappear! (Who needs the invisibility cloak when you can make yourself disappear?)
Poppy, the narrator of the story, is such a nice girl. She's got a wicked sense of humor and BONUS: SHE HAS A YORKIE NAMED PICKLE AND BRINGS HER TO SUMMER SCHOOL! Another fellow animal lover <3 I really enjoyed reading the story from her perspective.
At first, I didn't like Ellie, Poppy's enemy, because she seems so snobby. She keeps a nail file with her at all times and keeps on re-applying her nail polish. Everything she owns is pink (PINK 😍 I LOVE PINK). At last, she turns out to be not so bad (pink lovers can do no wrong) and becomes super nice.
At the end, Poppy and Ellie try to understand each other and at last learn to accept each other and even become friends. It's really sweet and I love the ending so much! Looking forward to reading Book Two :)
March 22, 2016
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in return for an honest review, which I am happy to provide.
First of fall, I am a Monday, or I want to be one, so I SOOOO related to Poppy! Lousy at mastering her powers, struggling to get along at school, she is sent away for the summer to a special school where she will learn to control and manage her powers. Once there, she is forced to work in a team with her arch-nemesis, Ellie, who may not be as with-it as she pretends to be. But maybe, just maybe, if they work together through the hijinks, the roadblocks, and their own stubborn wills, they may find more than their most treasured possessions.
A funny, wonderful book. I want to read more Poppy!
First of fall, I am a Monday, or I want to be one, so I SOOOO related to Poppy! Lousy at mastering her powers, struggling to get along at school, she is sent away for the summer to a special school where she will learn to control and manage her powers. Once there, she is forced to work in a team with her arch-nemesis, Ellie, who may not be as with-it as she pretends to be. But maybe, just maybe, if they work together through the hijinks, the roadblocks, and their own stubborn wills, they may find more than their most treasured possessions.
A funny, wonderful book. I want to read more Poppy!
June 27, 2016
This book was so much fun! As soon as I started this story I knew my daughter (8 years old) would relate to Poppy, so we read the book together. Here are her thoughts:
Poppy Mayberry is a book where people have special powers depending on the day you were born. If you were bad at your power you were sent to Power Academy for the summer. Poppy was sent to Power Academy with her worst enemy, Ellie. My favorite parts of the book were whenever Poppy and Ellie had to work together for special challenges. I loved the book!
Poppy Mayberry is a book where people have special powers depending on the day you were born. If you were bad at your power you were sent to Power Academy for the summer. Poppy was sent to Power Academy with her worst enemy, Ellie. My favorite parts of the book were whenever Poppy and Ellie had to work together for special challenges. I loved the book!
June 28, 2016
This sweet, adorable middle grade novel is a great read for all ages. In a town where the day you're born determines the magical gift you possess, Poppy's Monday gift of telekinesis isn't quite working out right. This down right funny novel is a must read for all book lovers. It's charming and hilarious and sweet all rolled into a tidy narrative. Well done, Jennie Brown.
September 16, 2016
4 1/2 stars
*I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Poppy Mayberry, The Monday was a delightful read that left me wanting to read more of this charming little town and its residents.
In Nova, the day of the week you were born on determines what power you possess. In Poppy Mayberry’s case, she’s a Monday which means she is telekinetic…but she’s not quite mastered her power yet which leads to some humorous moments. It isn’t long until her worst nightmare comes true: she has to attend Power Academy to learn how to control her telekinesis…with her fellow classmate and nemesis Ellie, a Thursday who misuses (or rather overuses) her telepathy or ability to read minds.
Soon the two girls find themselves forced to work together along with other classmates to get personal items that they brought to the academy back. Poppy being Poppy, of course, brought her pup, Pickle as her personal item so time is of the essence here. The kids must learn to work together and control their powers if they are going to complete their mission. As they work together there are twists and turns and surprises for them and for readers.
The characters in this book are so much fun and so likeable. I absolutely loved Poppy! She’s the type of quirky character that I adore. Funny, awkward, still figuring out who she is, but determined. And the other characters really added to the story and plot making the story fun and interesting. I really wanted to know more about them as well as Poppy.
And the whole concept of the days of the week and the powers was so fascinating to me. It reminded me of the poem I learned as a kid… “Monday’s Child is fair of face, Tuesday’s Child is full of grace” Only in this case, Monday’s child is telekinetic and Tuesday’s child can teleport…and so on.
My only complaint about the book is that there wasn’t more. Seriously…there is a lot of things that happen off page that I would have liked to have read in the book. Plus the whole “mission” and tasks could have been longer and more complicated, in my opinion. This book could easily have been twice the length and I would happily have read every word of Poppy and her friends’ adventures. I hope there are many more Nova Kids books to come!
*I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Poppy Mayberry, The Monday was a delightful read that left me wanting to read more of this charming little town and its residents.
In Nova, the day of the week you were born on determines what power you possess. In Poppy Mayberry’s case, she’s a Monday which means she is telekinetic…but she’s not quite mastered her power yet which leads to some humorous moments. It isn’t long until her worst nightmare comes true: she has to attend Power Academy to learn how to control her telekinesis…with her fellow classmate and nemesis Ellie, a Thursday who misuses (or rather overuses) her telepathy or ability to read minds.
Soon the two girls find themselves forced to work together along with other classmates to get personal items that they brought to the academy back. Poppy being Poppy, of course, brought her pup, Pickle as her personal item so time is of the essence here. The kids must learn to work together and control their powers if they are going to complete their mission. As they work together there are twists and turns and surprises for them and for readers.
The characters in this book are so much fun and so likeable. I absolutely loved Poppy! She’s the type of quirky character that I adore. Funny, awkward, still figuring out who she is, but determined. And the other characters really added to the story and plot making the story fun and interesting. I really wanted to know more about them as well as Poppy.
And the whole concept of the days of the week and the powers was so fascinating to me. It reminded me of the poem I learned as a kid… “Monday’s Child is fair of face, Tuesday’s Child is full of grace” Only in this case, Monday’s child is telekinetic and Tuesday’s child can teleport…and so on.
My only complaint about the book is that there wasn’t more. Seriously…there is a lot of things that happen off page that I would have liked to have read in the book. Plus the whole “mission” and tasks could have been longer and more complicated, in my opinion. This book could easily have been twice the length and I would happily have read every word of Poppy and her friends’ adventures. I hope there are many more Nova Kids books to come!
Want to read
November 23, 2015I have the pleasure of saying that this novel was written by my 9th grade English teacher, and she is amazing. I hope that everyone that gets the chance to read it enjoys it!
October 10, 2017
I'll be honest, I was drawn to the artwork for this book. The story intrigued me, and I decided to give it a chance. It is aimed at the 9 and above age group. It is a magical fantasy story.
Poppy Mayberry isn't your average school student, but neither are the other residents of the town of Nova. After a few little mistakes, she finds herself in the headmaster's office and shipped off to summer school. Could it get any worse? Ow Yes! The girl she doesn't get along with will be joining her and they are even sharing a room!
So you ask "What is so special about the town of Nova?" Well, the day of the week you were born can hold your future. You see the people of this town have special abilities, and the weekday you were born determines what it will be. Poppy needs a little help with her gift and hopes the summer school will help her have better control. Poppy is a Monday and this means she has telekinesis ability. Most people are naturals at their talent, but some like Poppy just need some extra practice. She may not want to go to summer school, but it may be what she needs.
Ellie her new roommate can read minds. She is at the summer school for relying on her gifts too much. The pair needs to set their differences aside and work together if they want to survive the summer.
This is a fun story with magic and friendship. It's perfect for the age group it's aimed at, and the second book is out on the 10th October 2017. This can be read as a standalone and is a complete story.
*ARC received as part of the chapter by chapter blog tour for the release of book 2. My review is honest and fair*
Poppy Mayberry isn't your average school student, but neither are the other residents of the town of Nova. After a few little mistakes, she finds herself in the headmaster's office and shipped off to summer school. Could it get any worse? Ow Yes! The girl she doesn't get along with will be joining her and they are even sharing a room!
So you ask "What is so special about the town of Nova?" Well, the day of the week you were born can hold your future. You see the people of this town have special abilities, and the weekday you were born determines what it will be. Poppy needs a little help with her gift and hopes the summer school will help her have better control. Poppy is a Monday and this means she has telekinesis ability. Most people are naturals at their talent, but some like Poppy just need some extra practice. She may not want to go to summer school, but it may be what she needs.
Ellie her new roommate can read minds. She is at the summer school for relying on her gifts too much. The pair needs to set their differences aside and work together if they want to survive the summer.
This is a fun story with magic and friendship. It's perfect for the age group it's aimed at, and the second book is out on the 10th October 2017. This can be read as a standalone and is a complete story.
*ARC received as part of the chapter by chapter blog tour for the release of book 2. My review is honest and fair*
September 20, 2016
In Poppy Mayberry's world the day you were born on signifies what type of power you should have. For example Fridays could just disappear into thin air. Poppy is almost 11 years old and yet she still has not come into her powers ... making her think something is very wrong with her. Add to that the constant teasing from not only her classmates Ellie and Celia but also her own brother who came into his Wednesday power of teleportation exactly when he should have at 13 years old. Poppy has had several attempts at her telekinesis and it has not gone well. She wants to keep trying but starts to feel like she just isn't going to get there. I love the names in the book - Poppy Rose Mayberry just rolls off your tongue so easily, and Wobble-Wibble the Principal :)
Then the rivals Poppy and Ellie are sent to Power Academy to get more in touch with their powers and she meets Logan Ellis Prince, things start to get interesting!
I love how the author writes in a juvenile style so it really seems as if you are listening to a young person. The reader sees everything from Poppy's perspective as it is written in the first-person narrative. This also means we can't really see what others are thinking - so we don't know whether the other characters' intentions are good or bad. The one person Poppy really trusts is her best friend Veronica who always seems to look out for Poppy especially when it comes to Ellie and Celia.
So Ellie and Poppy head to the special school and begin to think the HeadMistress is hiding something, so they team up to figure it out. Will they find out what is going on? Will Ellie and Poppy become friends? Pick up the book to find out! I really enjoyed reading this book - everything from the great names of the characters to the awkward situations they get themselves into, they were all fun to read and I highly recommend this book for young adults and even adults like me!
***I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received and I was neither required nor promised to leave a positive review.***
Then the rivals Poppy and Ellie are sent to Power Academy to get more in touch with their powers and she meets Logan Ellis Prince, things start to get interesting!
I love how the author writes in a juvenile style so it really seems as if you are listening to a young person. The reader sees everything from Poppy's perspective as it is written in the first-person narrative. This also means we can't really see what others are thinking - so we don't know whether the other characters' intentions are good or bad. The one person Poppy really trusts is her best friend Veronica who always seems to look out for Poppy especially when it comes to Ellie and Celia.
So Ellie and Poppy head to the special school and begin to think the HeadMistress is hiding something, so they team up to figure it out. Will they find out what is going on? Will Ellie and Poppy become friends? Pick up the book to find out! I really enjoyed reading this book - everything from the great names of the characters to the awkward situations they get themselves into, they were all fun to read and I highly recommend this book for young adults and even adults like me!
***I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received and I was neither required nor promised to leave a positive review.***
April 10, 2016
The moment I heard about Poppy and the idea of her being a 'Monday' I knew I had to read this story. So obviously I love the premise - the idea that being born on certain days of the week gives you an inherited power is pretty sweet!
Poppy is an absolutely adorable main character. She's smart, a little snarky, but has plenty of insecurities because she hasn't exactly taken to being a Monday. She has a wonderful voice, which is sweet yet quietly insistent on being respected. At the opening of the story, she might not know how to accomplish this, but she's not going to cave in to anyone, least of all Ellie - mean girl and former friend, who constantly makes fun of Poppy's inadequacies as a Monday. Just when Poppy finally stands up for herself the worst thing in the world happens - she's sent to a 'special' power school for the summer with none other than Ellie. And worse, the girls are paired up with two boys and forced to work as a team on projects. But Poppy has her precious pooch Pickle to give her comfort. (LOVE Pickle the dog, btw!)
Could life get any worse?
Poppy and her new band of teammates are about to find out as they are given a challenge they can't refuse to take - literally. This story is branded with loads of humor and silly scenarios, which bring the characters and their world to life. Can't wait to see where Poppy goes from here!
Poppy is an absolutely adorable main character. She's smart, a little snarky, but has plenty of insecurities because she hasn't exactly taken to being a Monday. She has a wonderful voice, which is sweet yet quietly insistent on being respected. At the opening of the story, she might not know how to accomplish this, but she's not going to cave in to anyone, least of all Ellie - mean girl and former friend, who constantly makes fun of Poppy's inadequacies as a Monday. Just when Poppy finally stands up for herself the worst thing in the world happens - she's sent to a 'special' power school for the summer with none other than Ellie. And worse, the girls are paired up with two boys and forced to work as a team on projects. But Poppy has her precious pooch Pickle to give her comfort. (LOVE Pickle the dog, btw!)
Could life get any worse?
Poppy and her new band of teammates are about to find out as they are given a challenge they can't refuse to take - literally. This story is branded with loads of humor and silly scenarios, which bring the characters and their world to life. Can't wait to see where Poppy goes from here!
May 2, 2016
I was lucky to receive an eARC of POPPY MAYBERRY, THE MONDAY. PMTM was a fantastic, fun read! Poppy the MC has a great sense of humor.
Power Academy was a perfect setting for most of the story. The personalities of the team characters, Logan and Sam played off Poppy and Ellie nicely.
I enjoyed the suspense when the four of them raced to find their favorite items.What a great plot twist to have them use and develop their individual powers while helping them to also work as a team. As they all work together, each discovers their secondary power when it's needed most. Having them born on the cusp of another day-very creative!
I liked that Poppy was not afraid to say(or think) what she thought, especially when it came to Ellie, and asking her why she hated her so much.
I'm looking forward to their 6th grade adventure!
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Veronica told me that she heard from Mark Masters who heard from his cousin.." Such a fun, typical line for someone who is Poppy's age!
"...because his red sweatshirt swallowed him whole..." Great description
The nicknames like nostril man, Mr. Wobble-Wible, Old Jiggly Jell-o Arms.....fantastic!
Power Academy was a perfect setting for most of the story. The personalities of the team characters, Logan and Sam played off Poppy and Ellie nicely.
I enjoyed the suspense when the four of them raced to find their favorite items.What a great plot twist to have them use and develop their individual powers while helping them to also work as a team. As they all work together, each discovers their secondary power when it's needed most. Having them born on the cusp of another day-very creative!
I liked that Poppy was not afraid to say(or think) what she thought, especially when it came to Ellie, and asking her why she hated her so much.
I'm looking forward to their 6th grade adventure!
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Veronica told me that she heard from Mark Masters who heard from his cousin.." Such a fun, typical line for someone who is Poppy's age!
"...because his red sweatshirt swallowed him whole..." Great description
The nicknames like nostril man, Mr. Wobble-Wible, Old Jiggly Jell-o Arms.....fantastic!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2016
I just finished reading Poppy... let me tell you... So much fun to read! This story was so whimsical, it made me want be Poppy! And how adorable is Poppy's dog Pickle?!?! I loved everything about this novel and I can't wait for the sequels. :) My nieces and nephews are going to just LOVE this series!! When does the 2nd book come out???? :) :)
March 2, 2018
In the city of Nova, every child is born with the potential of developing a weekday power (telepathy, teleportation, telekinesis, etc.). Once their special power manifests, they need to develop the skill. Poppy's lagging behind her class, so she's sent to a special summer camp for extra training.
Fifth graders and forced cooperation. Mean girls and handsome boys. Special tasks and sneaking around. I'm not really a fan of the whole adults-are-the-enemy slant, and the plot sticks to familiar lower middlegrade stereotypes (with no real surprises). Straightforward and steadily paced. I especially admired Poppy's willingness to set aside her injured feelings in order to win over the story's mean girl.
Fifth graders and forced cooperation. Mean girls and handsome boys. Special tasks and sneaking around. I'm not really a fan of the whole adults-are-the-enemy slant, and the plot sticks to familiar lower middlegrade stereotypes (with no real surprises). Straightforward and steadily paced. I especially admired Poppy's willingness to set aside her injured feelings in order to win over the story's mean girl.
July 17, 2021
This was a very sweet and enjoyable read. I really enjoy the concept of the story, and while I would never have powers in this world, it was cool to see how they operate in this universe.
There are some things that didn't fit well with me, mostly how the teachers acted, but I also know this is common in most kids literature or young adult. I'm definitely interested in reading the rest of this series.
There are some things that didn't fit well with me, mostly how the teachers acted, but I also know this is common in most kids literature or young adult. I'm definitely interested in reading the rest of this series.
March 1, 2017
What a cute, clever, original idea! Can't wait to read more from this author!
August 14, 2016
I absolutely loved this book!!
It's about a girl who has "Monday" powers (if you were born Monday through Friday, you have special powers like telekinesis, or the ability to transport or read minds), but she hasn't quite learned how to develop it. To make matters worse, she has this girl at school that really, really dislikes her, and poor Poppy just can't seem to get a break when Ellie Preston is around. In fact, their dislike of each other winds them up in the Power Academy, a summer school for kids who need to work on their powers.
Of course, there are issues that arise once Poppy and Ellie get to P.A. and they end up in the middle of a terrifying plot that is sure to undermine their relationship even further.
Or will it?
I really loved Poppy, Ellie, Logan and Sam. They are so real and quirky and so believable. The pace moves beautifully for a middle-grade book. The plot is not too thick and the language is perfect. Some of the visuals had me laughing out loud (think spaghetti), and the style is light and fun, whimsical and adventurous. The scary parts aren't too scary for the younger readers, and the story wraps up nicely with a warm, fuzzy feeling, but there is a hint of more books to come.
Fans of Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost City series and Pete Catalano's "Artifacts" will find this book immensely enjoyable. I definitely have it on my list to give to a couple of young readers who are ready to be introduced to the world of magic and fun. I look forward to reading more from this author.
It's about a girl who has "Monday" powers (if you were born Monday through Friday, you have special powers like telekinesis, or the ability to transport or read minds), but she hasn't quite learned how to develop it. To make matters worse, she has this girl at school that really, really dislikes her, and poor Poppy just can't seem to get a break when Ellie Preston is around. In fact, their dislike of each other winds them up in the Power Academy, a summer school for kids who need to work on their powers.
Of course, there are issues that arise once Poppy and Ellie get to P.A. and they end up in the middle of a terrifying plot that is sure to undermine their relationship even further.
Or will it?
I really loved Poppy, Ellie, Logan and Sam. They are so real and quirky and so believable. The pace moves beautifully for a middle-grade book. The plot is not too thick and the language is perfect. Some of the visuals had me laughing out loud (think spaghetti), and the style is light and fun, whimsical and adventurous. The scary parts aren't too scary for the younger readers, and the story wraps up nicely with a warm, fuzzy feeling, but there is a hint of more books to come.
Fans of Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost City series and Pete Catalano's "Artifacts" will find this book immensely enjoyable. I definitely have it on my list to give to a couple of young readers who are ready to be introduced to the world of magic and fun. I look forward to reading more from this author.
June 26, 2017
Poppy Mayberry isn’t thrilled when she’s sent to summer school to master the telekinetic powers she’s supposed to have as a kid born in the town of Nova on a Monday. And she’s even less thrilled when prissy, stuck-up Ellie, who has Thursday mindreading powers, ends up as her roommate. But when scary Headmistress Larribee kidnaps Poppy’s precious dog, Pickle, as part of a challenge, Poppy and Ellie have to team up, along with dreamy Logan and smart Sam, to find the precious things that have been taken from them and win the chance to go home early. Full of funny moments and most of all full of heart, Poppy’s story perfectly captures that middle school moment when everything in life seems to be in flux.
January 21, 2021
Poppy Mayberry was born in the town of Nova. Many years ago a meteor hit the town, causing everyone to have a special power according to what day they were born. Mondays have telekinesis, Tuesdays can teleport, and Thursdays can read minds, Every year children having problems with their ability are sent to a special summer school. This year Poppy and her classroom tormenter are sent to the academy together, teamed up with 2 boys, and given a special challenge.
This was a funny and cute story. Perfect for pre-teens. Even older readers can enjoy this book for a fun light-hearted read.
This was a funny and cute story. Perfect for pre-teens. Even older readers can enjoy this book for a fun light-hearted read.
July 2, 2017
First of all, I loved the concept of this book - everyone has special powers depending on what day of the week they're born on. It's such a neat idea! I had a great time following Poppy's adventure as she worked on mastering her power. A great read full of humour and tons of heart. Looking forward to reading more!
January 11, 2019
This was charming and a lot of fun. While it got a pinch repetitive (really, everything Ellie owns is pink? Are you sure? LOL), I think kids would have a ton of fun with this introduction to the Nova Kids series. Who wouldn't want to live in a town with people with special powers?
I discovered this title while reading Property of the Rebel Librarian.
I discovered this title while reading Property of the Rebel Librarian.
July 2, 2018
I would give this book 3 stars, but my 7 year old LOVED it so I’ll add a star for her. Cute book about kids with special powers. Probably meant more for 9-11 year olds, but nothing inappropriate for my almost 8 yo daughter. She also enjoyed it because her name is Poppy and she was born on a Monday - just like the main character!
December 15, 2017
Roztomilé čtení, které je sice předvídatelné, ale zkrátka se vám to dobře čte. Takový Harry Potter v sukních pro ještě menší čtenáře.
September 10, 2016
This was an enjoyable middle grade read. In the town of Nova those born on particular weekdays have a special power. As a Monday Poppy has the power of telekinesis, only she hasn't quite mastered control of it yet so things don't always move in the way she intended. She ends up a the Power Academy for summer school with her nemesis and a couple of new friends. They need to work together to solve a mystery so they can go home early.
I really liked a lot about the story. There was not a lot of world building to explain the powers and where they came from, but we got some answers and some hints that there's more to the story. World building is one of the things I love about sci-fi and fantasy books so I'm always disappointed when there isn't more, but it really wasn't necessary for the story. The whole powers thing was really cool, and the mystery associated with the Power Academy was definitely engaging. There's clearly more going on there than we learn about and I think that leaves it open for the story to continue nicely as a series. As a book for middle graders I found that the writing had a good level of complexity and vocabulary. There were some "big words" or at least less common ones and the sentences weren't all simple sentences. After reading a couple of YA books recently where I felt that they weren't complex enough for their intended age group Poppy was a nice change. It will challenge some younger readers, but not so much that they can't figure it out and keep going.
I did have a couple of issues with the book. The first is just a personal pet peeve. Poppy brings her dog along with her to the Power Academy. There are lots of mentions of her interacting with her dog, but none of her feeding it, walking it or taking it out to toilet. Dog's are a big responsibility and by not building that responsibility into the story it gives kids who don't have pets an unrealistic view of what it's like. Dog ownership is not all dressing your dog up in cute outfits and petting it. My other issue has to do with how the adults (and some kids) are perceived in the story. The kids have nicknamed their principal, Mr. Wible, Woble-Wible because he has an unsteady gait, Poppy refers to one of the Academy heads as "Nostril-Man", and makes comments about Mrs. Larriby's weight. While I understand the motive behind these and I get that kids do this (we all do to some extent!) I felt there could have been a better way of physically describing the characters without the mocking tone. Readers can be impacted by what they read and how they see favorite characters react. I appreciate the need for real and flawed characters but I also think it's important to be careful about what messages are being sent with respect to judging people based on physical appearance.
Overall, it was a good read and I'm looking forward to the sequel and seeing more of the mysterious town of Nova.
I really liked a lot about the story. There was not a lot of world building to explain the powers and where they came from, but we got some answers and some hints that there's more to the story. World building is one of the things I love about sci-fi and fantasy books so I'm always disappointed when there isn't more, but it really wasn't necessary for the story. The whole powers thing was really cool, and the mystery associated with the Power Academy was definitely engaging. There's clearly more going on there than we learn about and I think that leaves it open for the story to continue nicely as a series. As a book for middle graders I found that the writing had a good level of complexity and vocabulary. There were some "big words" or at least less common ones and the sentences weren't all simple sentences. After reading a couple of YA books recently where I felt that they weren't complex enough for their intended age group Poppy was a nice change. It will challenge some younger readers, but not so much that they can't figure it out and keep going.
I did have a couple of issues with the book. The first is just a personal pet peeve. Poppy brings her dog along with her to the Power Academy. There are lots of mentions of her interacting with her dog, but none of her feeding it, walking it or taking it out to toilet. Dog's are a big responsibility and by not building that responsibility into the story it gives kids who don't have pets an unrealistic view of what it's like. Dog ownership is not all dressing your dog up in cute outfits and petting it. My other issue has to do with how the adults (and some kids) are perceived in the story. The kids have nicknamed their principal, Mr. Wible, Woble-Wible because he has an unsteady gait, Poppy refers to one of the Academy heads as "Nostril-Man", and makes comments about Mrs. Larriby's weight. While I understand the motive behind these and I get that kids do this (we all do to some extent!) I felt there could have been a better way of physically describing the characters without the mocking tone. Readers can be impacted by what they read and how they see favorite characters react. I appreciate the need for real and flawed characters but I also think it's important to be careful about what messages are being sent with respect to judging people based on physical appearance.
Overall, it was a good read and I'm looking forward to the sequel and seeing more of the mysterious town of Nova.
November 23, 2016
What a great book for middle readers! As an adult I loved the true-to-life voices of Poppy and Ellie and the plot kept me very interested. A few reviews criticize the 'meanness' of the characters but guess what? Kids can be mean to each other and the important aspect is what they learn about each other and themselves. It is full of perspective-taking and appreciation which is a great awareness for this age-group to read about.
September 30, 2016
Such a fun book! Poppy Mayberry has a great, spunky voice and personality that help to make this sweet story all the more delightful. My tween read this ahead of me, and she said, "I really liked it because it has a good story and an interesting ending that surprised me. I recommend it to people who really like a good exciting book." I agree!
September 12, 2016
This is a sweet adorable middle grade novel that draws you with wonderful characters and delightful fun twist on having magic as part of your world. Nova is a unique town and Poppy is a lovable "monday" character that you will readily want to read about and enjoy with your children.
September 23, 2016
A very engaging children's novel. At first I wondered where the author was taking this "days of the week" thing but once I got it I was entranced. I loved Poppy and her quirkiness and the way she comes into her power is just great. Will try to get my kids to read this one.
April 8, 2019
I read a LOT of Middle Grade books, so I'm very familiar with this genre and I have a very clear idea of what makes a great MG story (for me at least). While I really liked this story, I felt there were some pretty big flaws with this book.
The first is a huge pet-peeve of mine. Just because a book is Middle Grade, and the main characters are young kids (10-12 age group), doesn't mean you need to make them sound like idiots. You can tell a mile away that Poppy and Ellie's thoughts and dialogue was written by an adult trying to sound like a kid...a lot of eye rolling, 'likes', ‘totally’s’ and 'whatever's'. Completely unnecessary. These kids are really smart, and I feel like the author was dumbing them down in a effort to make them seem relatable to young readers...I hate that.
The other problem I have is lack of background. Nova is a special town where people born on specific days of the week have specific powers. Monday's are telepathic, Tuesdays can teleport, Wednesdays can harness electricity, etc. Children born on the weekend are 'normals'...they have no powers.
Well, that awesome, but WHY is this the case? Why was Nova the only town that this has happened to? Do people from the rest of the country know about Nova's powers? Are they allowed to visit/move there? We learn briefly while Poppy is in her Nova History class that there was a meteor strike, but instead of using that part of the story to explain things, the author makes Poppy zone out and stop paying attention. (?!?!) That would have been the perfect time to explain the background!!
I understand there are two more books after this one, so I imagine Nova's history will be explained in one/both of them, but I think a little more information would have been nice in this book.
Overall, I liked the story, but I wasn't planning on continuing with the series because Poppy and Ellie's dialogue was so irritating, but I changed my mind. I'm choosing to continue mainly because I want to know more about Nova...not so much what Poppy and the gang are up to. I guess I would recommend this for young readers, but I'm really not loving the unnecessary immature dialogue or the way most of the adults are mean and manipulative. I'm hoping the second book a structured a little better.
The first is a huge pet-peeve of mine. Just because a book is Middle Grade, and the main characters are young kids (10-12 age group), doesn't mean you need to make them sound like idiots. You can tell a mile away that Poppy and Ellie's thoughts and dialogue was written by an adult trying to sound like a kid...a lot of eye rolling, 'likes', ‘totally’s’ and 'whatever's'. Completely unnecessary. These kids are really smart, and I feel like the author was dumbing them down in a effort to make them seem relatable to young readers...I hate that.
The other problem I have is lack of background. Nova is a special town where people born on specific days of the week have specific powers. Monday's are telepathic, Tuesdays can teleport, Wednesdays can harness electricity, etc. Children born on the weekend are 'normals'...they have no powers.
Well, that awesome, but WHY is this the case? Why was Nova the only town that this has happened to? Do people from the rest of the country know about Nova's powers? Are they allowed to visit/move there? We learn briefly while Poppy is in her Nova History class that there was a meteor strike, but instead of using that part of the story to explain things, the author makes Poppy zone out and stop paying attention. (?!?!) That would have been the perfect time to explain the background!!
I understand there are two more books after this one, so I imagine Nova's history will be explained in one/both of them, but I think a little more information would have been nice in this book.
Overall, I liked the story, but I wasn't planning on continuing with the series because Poppy and Ellie's dialogue was so irritating, but I changed my mind. I'm choosing to continue mainly because I want to know more about Nova...not so much what Poppy and the gang are up to. I guess I would recommend this for young readers, but I'm really not loving the unnecessary immature dialogue or the way most of the adults are mean and manipulative. I'm hoping the second book a structured a little better.
December 21, 2019
Poppy Mayberry lives in Nova where everyone has special magical powers. The day of the week in which babies are born dictates their special powers. Born on Monday, this almost 11-year-old has the power of telekinesis, giving Poppy the ability to imagine things, and then magically they happen. For instance she thinks about her nemesis Ellie's showy headband flying off her head and breaking apart. Shockingly it occurs just like that. Poppy knows she'll be punished, but is thrilled her magic finally worked. Ellie always mocks Poppy, and received just what she deserved according to Poppy. Ellie is a Thursday and can read people's minds. This isn't allowed at Nova Elementary, but being such a schmoozer her teacher Mrs. Flannagan adores her, as Ellie reads everyone's mind including her teacher's. Struggling with controling her magical powers proves challenging for Poppy, knowing she needs to excell with telekinesis in order to be promoted to her top choice school next year. When Poppy wills something really embarrassing to happen to a teacher, and it occurrs, she receives the ultimate punishment along with her nemesis, Ellie. Full of suspense and surprising twists and turns, the magical world of Nova is full of intrigue. Readers who love fantasies where the magic goes wonky will delight in this story.
May 5, 2018
What if the day you were born on determined what kind of super power you would have? That is what it is like in the town of Nova. Poppy was born on a Monday and had the power of telekinesis. However, by age 11 her powers were still not strong. Ellie, a classmate and not very nice girl, had the opposite problem. She struggled to not use her powers of mind reading. The students at the local school were not to use their powers during classes. Poppy and Ellie got into some trouble and the principal decided they both needed additional practice with their powers at summer Power School. As the summer progressed, the girls discovered something very special they had in common.
Jennie Brown's book intertwines characters who all had super powers based on the day of the week they were born. The characters' abilities to use those powers varied. Poppy struggled to use her powers and lacked confidence in herself. Ellie, who did not like Poppy, had her own inner issues as well. At the summer school, the girls needed to overcome these issues to work together. This book allows the readers to accept their differences and realize that it is okay to not be good at everything, but it is important to believe in yourself.
Jennie Brown's book intertwines characters who all had super powers based on the day of the week they were born. The characters' abilities to use those powers varied. Poppy struggled to use her powers and lacked confidence in herself. Ellie, who did not like Poppy, had her own inner issues as well. At the summer school, the girls needed to overcome these issues to work together. This book allows the readers to accept their differences and realize that it is okay to not be good at everything, but it is important to believe in yourself.
October 17, 2016
This first book in a new series will undoubtedly have mass appeal among young girls, but I hope boys don't overlook it as there are some great characters in Sam and Logan, too. There is an underlying mean-spiritness that comes across in this book, with several instances of students being mean to other students or saying rude things about others and showing disrespect to teachers and others in authority. With bullying being in the media spotlight, I feel some of the snarkiness should have been left out. Additionally, it seems that every character in this book is caucasion...a little diversity would go a long way to enhance this series as kids like characters they can relate to. As for the positive qualities of this debut series: The story is engaging--funny at times, with just enough action and intrigue, and a hint of young romance. The first book does a good job of wrapping up the story while still leaving enough unanswered questions to encourage reading the next book in the series! One of the things I liked best about this story was how the two female leads mended their broken relationship by being honest about their feelings. The overall concept behind the series is a winner, and I feel this will be a very popular series, and one that can evolve and grow with the readers.
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