A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year! "An
inventive and heartfelt debut novel."
–The New York Times "
An uplifting, affirming story for every collection."
–Booklist, starred review "Isaiah's optimism, drive, and loyalty to friends and family make him
a hero to cheer for and lend a feeling of hope to this exploration of difficult topics." –
Publishers Weekly, starred review "In this
moving tale of life, loss, and the love of words, Isaiah learns that perseverance and vulnerability are real superpowers and that family and community are the real wind beneath a superhero's cape." –
The Horn Book "
An accessible story about a child facing loss and home instability. Isaiah is a likable character; readers will identify with his struggle to rise above his family's housing issues to define himself."
–School Library Journal
"Baptist presents the direness of abject poverty with
exquisite empathy. She provides Isaiah with a supportive community that helps as his family's situation fluctuates, giving readers who also experience housing insecurity hope but no promises."
–Kirkus Reviews "
A compassionate eye-opener for kids not yet ready for Abbott's
The Great Jeff." –The Bulletin