Summary: Camila the Record-Breaking Star Camila the Record-Breaking Star is the first in the Camila the Star series by Alicia Salazar, illustrated by Thias Damiao. In this book, young Camila who has always wanted to be una estrella discovers that one way she can do this is by breaking a world record, but which one? After much thought and many failed tries, she finally finds the perfect thing for her. She's not going to break any previously set records; she'll set hers instead! The Good This is a cute chapter book, much like the Yasmin series by Saadia Faruqi. It's an excellent book for kids who just trying to get into chapter books. At 32 pages, it's pretty much a picture book with just a bit more text and an "older" plot. I loved the illustrations and the sibling dynamics between Camila and her older siblings Andres and Ana as well as Camila's resilience and creativity. If your kids like their book-related activities, then they'll love the two at the end of this book, as well as the glossary of Spanish words used throughout the book. Much like the Sophia Martinez books, this one also has Spanish words highlighted throughout and would be useful if you're trying to teach basic Spanish words and phrases. Overall: Camila the Record-Breaking Star Camila the Record-Breaking Star is an excellent start to a fun chapter book series with a bright, creative heroine who learns the value of being resilient. With highlighted Spanish words and phrases interspersed throughout the story and a useful glossary at the end of the book, this is a great way to help kids learn and remember simple Spanish words. Finally, the easy-to-read text and vivid illustrations will capture the eyes of any child who is new to reading chapter books. I would definitely recommend this to those looking for chapter books for first and second graders.--Afoma "Reading Middle Grade"

This entry in the "Camila the Star" series features seven-year-old Camila, who hears about someone her age who is a star for breaking a world record and appears on a magazine cover. She is determined to get her own magazine cover by becoming a record-breaker, too. After myriad missteps, she writes a song with a goal of 1000 plays on a song platform. It takes a while, but she does earn the record; the magazine cover is homemade, but the thrill is just as real. This title owes a debt to Jacqueline Jules's "Sophia Martinez" series while reaching out to a slightly younger audience. Camila's family is introduced to readers by way of a labeled picture with its own chapter heading, allowing Salazar to later incorporate them into the story without additional description. The Spanish-English glossary is located at the beginning of the book. The text, limited to three or four short sentences per page, is accompanied by bright cartoonish explanatory illustrations. Despite these efforts to simplify Camila's adventures for a younger reader, there are a few clumsy textual references, like the one that suggests the song could be a "platinum" record instead of going "viral." VERDICT This fairly derivative title may meet the needs of collections that rely on easy chapter books.--Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter Sch., Providence "School Library Journal"

Publisher: Picture Window Books

Pub date: 2021-01-01

Length: 32 pages