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Childish Things
Mo Powers Mo Problems! It's a new school year for the Parker Sisters but it's the same song and dance. Get good grades, avoid being kidnapped or killed before dinner, and don't forget to take to out the trash. But this year there are a few new players in the game. Players who are as special as the Parker Sisters. Let the games begin.
216 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2016
1 person is currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Thelonious Legend
3 books101 followersThelonious Legend is a software professional who writes stories of triumph and intrigue. He also spends an ordinate amount of time cheering his daughters during their myriad of activities and drinking coffee. His other activities include watching football, rock climbing, fishing, and drinking wine. Nuff said!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 2, 2017
The three super-powered sisters are back in part two of this origin story for all. Thelonious Legend continuous to show us a realistic and intelligent look at a multicultural universe where science can produce superhuman abilities like speed, strength, and flight. That’s right, flight. The first book in the series, Sins of the Father, focused in on the eldest of the Parker Sisters, Eve (You should read it first but Childish things reads like a standalone novel).
Childish Things focuses on the middle sister, Gwen whose primary gift is strength. Something else reveals itself in this novel, but you have to read it to find out. Ha! At it’s core, this is a coming of age story and the growth of Gwen as a person from page one to the end is a thing to behold, something in which any teen regardless of race or gender would benefit and should partake. A line toward the end of the story encapsulates Gwen's journey. “She was going to be in high school next year, and it was time to put aside childish things.”
Legend does a phenomenal job of showing over telling us, through great imagery, the adolescent journey in both middle school with Gwen and Ana and high school with Eve, complete with puppy love and budding romances. I love it. Through it all, Legend develops great secondary characters then weaves an intricate plot with up-to-the-task super villains so stay focused. Legend packs a lot in the way of punches in this just over 200 page tome as the fight sequences are dynamic and many.
But the strength of this story is in how the author bridges the gap between science and fiction. There are no radioactive roaches or overnight metamorphoses. The Parker sister’s abilities as well as a few others are the result of science and manifest themselves gradually, but their subsequent development is a result of hard work and self motivation. Our kids today could use a bit of that.
Finally Legend’s prose is on point. Here’s an example of substance and style combined. First the ending of Ana’s first flight sequence which was beautifully written and nothing short of phenomenal. “Staring at the moving lights that were cars, Ana lost herself for a minute. Refocusing, she unsheathed her staff. She practiced fight moves, evasive maneuvers, and acrobatics that combined both. Her audience was the stars and the moon, but they flirted with each other and paid Ana no mind.”
And then there was this private moment with the beautiful and deadly Eve. “Sighing Eve took off her gloves and got in some speed bag work. She loved the feel and rhythm of the speed bag. The cadence. The sound. She closed her eyes, listening, commanding her hands faster, forcing the speed bag to keep up. She was a drummer wailing away on her solo, oblivious to the crowd. Her shoulders started to burn from the work, and she opened up her eyes. She changed the rhythm of her punches and mixed in some elbows. She missed. The speed bag swung gleefully around in circles. Eve rarely missed. She grabbed the speed bag with both hands to stop its celebrating.”
Highly recommended for all and 5 big stars.
Childish Things focuses on the middle sister, Gwen whose primary gift is strength. Something else reveals itself in this novel, but you have to read it to find out. Ha! At it’s core, this is a coming of age story and the growth of Gwen as a person from page one to the end is a thing to behold, something in which any teen regardless of race or gender would benefit and should partake. A line toward the end of the story encapsulates Gwen's journey. “She was going to be in high school next year, and it was time to put aside childish things.”
Legend does a phenomenal job of showing over telling us, through great imagery, the adolescent journey in both middle school with Gwen and Ana and high school with Eve, complete with puppy love and budding romances. I love it. Through it all, Legend develops great secondary characters then weaves an intricate plot with up-to-the-task super villains so stay focused. Legend packs a lot in the way of punches in this just over 200 page tome as the fight sequences are dynamic and many.
But the strength of this story is in how the author bridges the gap between science and fiction. There are no radioactive roaches or overnight metamorphoses. The Parker sister’s abilities as well as a few others are the result of science and manifest themselves gradually, but their subsequent development is a result of hard work and self motivation. Our kids today could use a bit of that.
Finally Legend’s prose is on point. Here’s an example of substance and style combined. First the ending of Ana’s first flight sequence which was beautifully written and nothing short of phenomenal. “Staring at the moving lights that were cars, Ana lost herself for a minute. Refocusing, she unsheathed her staff. She practiced fight moves, evasive maneuvers, and acrobatics that combined both. Her audience was the stars and the moon, but they flirted with each other and paid Ana no mind.”
And then there was this private moment with the beautiful and deadly Eve. “Sighing Eve took off her gloves and got in some speed bag work. She loved the feel and rhythm of the speed bag. The cadence. The sound. She closed her eyes, listening, commanding her hands faster, forcing the speed bag to keep up. She was a drummer wailing away on her solo, oblivious to the crowd. Her shoulders started to burn from the work, and she opened up her eyes. She changed the rhythm of her punches and mixed in some elbows. She missed. The speed bag swung gleefully around in circles. Eve rarely missed. She grabbed the speed bag with both hands to stop its celebrating.”
Highly recommended for all and 5 big stars.
December 16, 2016
It's a new school year for the Parker Sisters and new problems to go with it. I love writing these girls and I love reading them. Book two picks up a month or so after book one and like book one nothing is at seems. But we know how the Parker Sisters roll. They're able to rise to any challenge and they are definitely challenged! Great read and I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Now on to book for three for me!
October 7, 2021
With great power comes great responsibility, as they say, and the Parker sisters are shouldered with more power than anyone else their age. Entering eighth, ninth, and tenth grade, Ana, Gwen, and Eve have combined their complementary abilities to research more about how to manage their skills while avoiding harm from numerous nefarious entities. As the school year progresses, the girls must balance both their training and the complexities of their relationships with others, especially as new abilities begin to appear. Not everyone is as they seem, however, and it is up to the girls to determine friend from foe in order to ensure their survival.
This second installment in The Parker Sisters series picks up shortly after the first book ends as the girls are preparing for their next year of school. Eve is entering high school, and social dynamics are changing for all of the girls as they mature. Engaging dialogue makes up the majority of this book, using phrasing and vernacular that bring each character to life. Even when speakers are not specifically mentioned, the writing easily discerns one voice from another and makes readers feel especially connected to the characters.
Alongside the dialogue are intense scenes featuring the mixed martial arts skills the girls are learning and perfecting whenever they are not at school. Details are clear and distinct for readers as the moments unfold, and they will cheer for the protagonists as they showcase their newly minted abilities. The girls are not infallible, however, and this makes action sequences more dramatic because it is unclear exactly how or if the sisters will be able to best their enemies.
This series blends science fiction with action and human relationships to create a dynamic and memorable story for young adult readers. Though the Parker sisters inherit heavy responsibility when their skills manifest themselves, they are nonetheless expected to behave like typical students their age. Readers will appreciate this dichotomy because it makes the sisters’ story more believable and familiar even including its science fiction elements. Young adult readers who enjoy stories about unlikely heroes and the humans underneath will connect with the Parker sisters and will look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
This second installment in The Parker Sisters series picks up shortly after the first book ends as the girls are preparing for their next year of school. Eve is entering high school, and social dynamics are changing for all of the girls as they mature. Engaging dialogue makes up the majority of this book, using phrasing and vernacular that bring each character to life. Even when speakers are not specifically mentioned, the writing easily discerns one voice from another and makes readers feel especially connected to the characters.
Alongside the dialogue are intense scenes featuring the mixed martial arts skills the girls are learning and perfecting whenever they are not at school. Details are clear and distinct for readers as the moments unfold, and they will cheer for the protagonists as they showcase their newly minted abilities. The girls are not infallible, however, and this makes action sequences more dramatic because it is unclear exactly how or if the sisters will be able to best their enemies.
This series blends science fiction with action and human relationships to create a dynamic and memorable story for young adult readers. Though the Parker sisters inherit heavy responsibility when their skills manifest themselves, they are nonetheless expected to behave like typical students their age. Readers will appreciate this dichotomy because it makes the sisters’ story more believable and familiar even including its science fiction elements. Young adult readers who enjoy stories about unlikely heroes and the humans underneath will connect with the Parker sisters and will look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
July 27, 2021
The Parker Sisters are back in book two, and we see the girls come out stronger than ever. Yet they still need to deal with school, friends, and BOYS! The focus of this installment was on those relationships that seem so important when you're a teenager and that can become chaotic if one is a teenager with superpowers.
It is the pressure of balancing superhuman with everyday human things that laid tension on every page of this story. We see the girls trying to dress cute, attract, kiss boys, and at the same time train so they are not cut unaware. A kiss with a deadly spark, learning to fly, or letting your big sister put makeup on you are just some of the examples of this constant balance within the character’s lives. To say I enjoyed this aspect of the book would be an understatement.
Thinking about the sisters, I have to say, Ana outdid herself in book two. She does next-level programming, all the way to animal levels. In act three fighting scenes we get to see her birds attack, which I thought was a unique addition to the fighting. It’s like a really cool action movie that you get drawn in as you watch every move.
The additional characters introduced (Roman and Aaron) are not cardboard cutouts; they add on that thematic intrigue in act two as we try to figure out who are they. Incrementally the author fills in their backstory through Ana’s hacking skill and the character’s own volition. Once we find out, we care and following the book theme—family is everything— the characters become part of the family. Or do they? I don’t know. Either way, I thought it was a great wrap-up to this installment as it follows theme and gives it a good-feeling vibe.
The world needs more stories of black girl superheroes. So I recommend this to all. It is empowering, real, loving, funny, and has superheroes. What’s not to love?
It is the pressure of balancing superhuman with everyday human things that laid tension on every page of this story. We see the girls trying to dress cute, attract, kiss boys, and at the same time train so they are not cut unaware. A kiss with a deadly spark, learning to fly, or letting your big sister put makeup on you are just some of the examples of this constant balance within the character’s lives. To say I enjoyed this aspect of the book would be an understatement.
Thinking about the sisters, I have to say, Ana outdid herself in book two. She does next-level programming, all the way to animal levels. In act three fighting scenes we get to see her birds attack, which I thought was a unique addition to the fighting. It’s like a really cool action movie that you get drawn in as you watch every move.
The additional characters introduced (Roman and Aaron) are not cardboard cutouts; they add on that thematic intrigue in act two as we try to figure out who are they. Incrementally the author fills in their backstory through Ana’s hacking skill and the character’s own volition. Once we find out, we care and following the book theme—family is everything— the characters become part of the family. Or do they? I don’t know. Either way, I thought it was a great wrap-up to this installment as it follows theme and gives it a good-feeling vibe.
The world needs more stories of black girl superheroes. So I recommend this to all. It is empowering, real, loving, funny, and has superheroes. What’s not to love?
April 23, 2017
I tried, I really, really tried.
I couldn't make it half-way before I started skimming. I like the girls, their friends, their family, and their jokes. Okay, so I don't care for sports or jock culture in general, but it didn't bother me in the first book!
I don't know why, I just couldn't stay engaged.
It's not terribly long, only 202 pages. The plot moves forward with their evolving powers, dating, and fighting bad guys.
While I skipped and skimmed, I see there's interesting developments. The cast expands and find counterparts like them.
I should love everything about this.
Yet...nothing. No spark. I'm completely apathetic. *sigh*
Sorry.
I couldn't make it half-way before I started skimming. I like the girls, their friends, their family, and their jokes. Okay, so I don't care for sports or jock culture in general, but it didn't bother me in the first book!
I don't know why, I just couldn't stay engaged.
It's not terribly long, only 202 pages. The plot moves forward with their evolving powers, dating, and fighting bad guys.
While I skipped and skimmed, I see there's interesting developments. The cast expands and find counterparts like them.
I should love everything about this.
Yet...nothing. No spark. I'm completely apathetic. *sigh*
Sorry.
December 30, 2016
I know I’m reading a really good book when I stop and it is way too quiet. Was I listening to music? No…the book is just THAT good.
This happened more than once while I was reading Childish Things. The action gets completely turned up in Legend’s second book. The girls are older, wiser, and more powerful. They are training harder, and are more prepared for the bad guys that are, well, badder.
Childish Things is Gwen’s story, where Sins of the Father centered more around Eve. This gives the book a very “middle child syndrome” spin, as we see her take on friends, boys, and life while constantly comparing herself to her older sister.
The social justice spin is more subtle in this second book, but it is there in the margins for those who are paying attention. I am very interested in the almost backward character development of Stacey in particular, and how Legend is using her to show white privilege and the kind of subtle unknowing prejudice we don’t realize we have.
I would definitely recommend this for older middle schoolers (7th grade+) or really anyone who likes YA. There is some violence and darker themes so just be cautious with younger audiences–though I’d never discourage anyone wanting to read this.
This happened more than once while I was reading Childish Things. The action gets completely turned up in Legend’s second book. The girls are older, wiser, and more powerful. They are training harder, and are more prepared for the bad guys that are, well, badder.
Childish Things is Gwen’s story, where Sins of the Father centered more around Eve. This gives the book a very “middle child syndrome” spin, as we see her take on friends, boys, and life while constantly comparing herself to her older sister.
The social justice spin is more subtle in this second book, but it is there in the margins for those who are paying attention. I am very interested in the almost backward character development of Stacey in particular, and how Legend is using her to show white privilege and the kind of subtle unknowing prejudice we don’t realize we have.
I would definitely recommend this for older middle schoolers (7th grade+) or really anyone who likes YA. There is some violence and darker themes so just be cautious with younger audiences–though I’d never discourage anyone wanting to read this.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews