Rica Baptista

September 15, 2022
Rica Baptista must convince her parents to get her a pet, but the reason why is a secret. Nobody knows, not even Rica's best friend, Laini Shanahan, but Laini is going to move away. Rica isn't supposed to know either, but she overheard Laini's parents talking, and now she's made a plan so she won't be lonely: convince her parents to finally get her a pet. She's not picky about what animal it is--she'd be fine with an iguana, a llama, a potbellied pig, or anything else. She already picked a name: Frederica. (It is her name, but everybody calls her Rica, so she figures that's fine.) Rica is flexible about the details, though, as long as the pet can keep her company when Laini eventually leaves. Her parents aren't going to say yes easily, though, so she and Laini come up with plans to change their minds. In this engaging and fast-paced narrative, Rica proves herself a smart protagonist with a big heart and great sense of humor. As she goes through her schemes, she offers lessons in responsibility. Rica is Cabo Verdean and Black; Laini is White. Winsome illustrations from Jose break up the text. A satisfying story of friendship and kindness. (Fiction. 6-10)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2022
Grades 2-4 All Rica wants is a pet. That's all. But she's unsure about which pet to get, changing her preference over and over. It's become more urgent since she overheard Laini's mom say that they're relocating to Florida, meaning that her absolute bestie is moving away! A pet is just what she needs to keep her company when Laini isn't around anymore. Rica's parents are not on board, so she finds creative ways to prove herself, ultimately entering a poetry contest, during which she overcomes her anxiety and reads in front of a live audience. If she wins, could her parents finally agree to get her the pet she so desperately wants? Bates paints a vivid picture of Rica's family, folding in plenty of details of their Cape Verde heritage. Readers will chuckle at Rica's increasingly wild pet plans, from pygmy goats to quokkas--thankfully, her friends help her see reason. This heartening and optimistic chapter book emphasizes resourcefulness and resilience in the face of worry, themes sure to resonate with elementary-schoolers, and a final sweet twist is the perfect rosy note to end on.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2022

Gr 1-4-Eight-year-old Frederica "Rica" Baptista has a goal: convince her parents to let her get a pet. Her best friend Laini is determined to help her, but she and her family are moving away to Florida! Keeping this information to herself, Frederica tries to find ways to get a pet, including earning some money. When she learns about a poetry contest at the local bookstore, Frederica submits a poem with the encouragement of her kind neighbor/first grade teacher and her sometimes-annoying but always-supportive cousin Serenity. This humorous and thoughtful book introduces a charismatic and clever heroine along with her witty father and nutritionist mother, who named Rica after her great-great grandfather Frederico. Frederica receives constant support from her best friend Laini, and the various activities they take part in to reach Frederica's goal of obtaining a pet are entertaining and fun. Readers have extra insight into Frederica's mind when she confesses what she thinks versus what she says out loud, and they will love her quirky personality. Black-and-white illustrations complement the sweet plot and are sure to leave readers wishing for another chance to visit Rica's world. VERDICT A heartfelt story full of great characters that will encourage readers to keep trying, this is a wonderful addition to fiction collections for children.-Selenia Paz

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2022
Eight-year-old Rica (short for Frederica) Baptista desperately wants a pet. When she overhears a conversation that leads her to believe her best friend, Laini, will be moving, getting a pet feels even more urgent in order to ward off loneliness. The breezy chapter book, peppered with cartoon-style illustrations, is a fresh look at evergreen themes. Rica and Laini brainstorm ways to convince Rica's parents that she is responsible enough to care for a pet while planning moneymaking schemes, which are supported by extended family and neighbors -- with mixed results. In the end it's an unselfish act of kindness that persuades Rica's parents that she is ready to adopt a cat from the local shelter. The satisfying story closes with some additional happy news about Laini's family. Rica's first-person narration is convincing and endearing. She bounces from one grand plan to a major worry and then on to a new plan. Her mother reminds Rica that she is named after her great-great-grandfather, who emigrated from Cape Verde to the U.S. and was a businessperson and a philanthropist whose community depended on him. By the end of the book, Rica proves that she, too, is a dependable and vital member of her community. Maeve Visser Knoth

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2022
Eight-year-old Rica (short for Frederica) Baptista desperately wants a pet. When she overhears a conversation that leads her to believe her best friend, Laini, will be moving, getting a pet feels even more urgent in order to ward off loneliness. The breezy chapter book, peppered with cartoon-style illustrations, is a fresh look at evergreen themes. Rica and Laini brainstorm ways to convince Rica's parents that she is responsible enough to care for a pet while planning moneymaking schemes, which are supported by extended family and neighbors -- with mixed results. In the end it's an unselfish act of kindness that persuades Rica's parents that she is ready to adopt a cat from the local shelter. The satisfying story closes with some additional happy news about Laini's family. Rica's first-person narration is convincing and endearing. She bounces from one grand plan to a major worry and then on to a new plan. Her mother reminds Rica that she is named after her great-great-grandfather, who emigrated from Cape Verde to the U.S. and was a businessperson and a philanthropist whose community depended on him. By the end of the book, Rica proves that she, too, is a dependable and vital member of her community.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)