JADA SLY, ARTIST AND SPY Book Review
In this thrilling sleuthing adventure, ten-year-old multiracial JADA SLY, ARTIST AND SPY is not your traditional spy novel. With the stakes high and danger lurking around every corner, Jada will use one spy technique after another to unlock the mystery of her mother’s disappearance–some with hilarious results. After all, she’s still learning.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to facilitate this review. All opinions, as always, are my own.
JADA SLY, ARTIST AND SPY
JADA SLY is written by Sherri Winston; also the author of wildly popular PRESIDENT OF THE WHOLE FIFTH GRADE.
This middle grade story begins after the death of Jada’s mother in a plane crash. Jada and her parents have living in France for five years as diplomats. However, they decide to return to New York City where her dad can run the family museum. Jada’s plan; to keep training for her future as an international spy. Everyone is suspicious until proven otherwise, even the enemy agents on the plane home.
Repatriation Woes
Upon her return to the US, the first thing Jada does is make a plan to scour every inch New York City in search of her missing mother. She was told her mom died in a plane crash. Nonetheless, Jada’s sleuthing skills make her certain her mom was a spy and the entire thing is a cover up.
Antidote to a four-hour sit at airport—coffee and #amwriting pic.twitter.com/qctTJ1oovt
— Sherri Winston—Jada Sly, Artist & Spy (@sherriwinston) June 21, 2019
Processing Grief and Finding Joy
Like her dad, Jada is also an artist. I fell in love in the first few chapters with her colorful, confident and sassy personality as she uses sketching as her cover for uncovering the cover up.
There is a theme of grief in the book, but it is not all consuming just like in real life. Furthermore, Jada is still finding her joy despite the circumstances. The depth and comedy in this incredible book will have kids asking not to be interrupted while they devour the story.
Hair Love
I love that Jada is illustrated with a pixie cut. So many African-American book characters are in puffs and braided hairstyles. This books gives readers an opportunity to broaden their view of who “looks Black”.
Another background note; with her African-American/Egyptian mother who is a foreign service officer and diplomat, and her African-American father who belongs to one of the elite black families of the early 20th Century, making money in real estate and law, this is a critical book to fight the stereotype of who travels the world in “first class”.
Any Black person can tell you horror stories of the treatment they receive by passengers who think they are “in the wrong line.”
JADA SLY: My Top Summer Read
If there is one book I could choose for your readers to start the summer, its JADA SLY, ARTIST AND SPY should be it.
Lastly, this is a great book for any reader. However, if you have experienced the ups and downs of expatriation, I promise you this book is going to feel like coming home.
Purchase JADA SLY, ARTIST AND SPY on Amazon | Shop your local indie bookstore.
For more multiracial books:
Multiracial Children’s Literature Guide
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