Rica’s very best friend is moving away. How can she convince her parents to let her get a pet so she won’t be lonely? Friendship and family shine in this engaging young chapter book.
Rica Baptista wants—no, needs—a pet. A llama, a kinkajou, or maybe an iguana? She even has a name picked out: Frederica, her own name, after her Cape Verdean great-great-grandfather. But Rica’s parents say no almost faster than their mouths can open. The worst part is that Rica can’t tell anyone the real reason she wants a pet, because she’s not supposed to know—she overheard that her best friend, Laini, is moving away, and Rica worries about being left behind. Rica and Laini make lists of the benefits of having a pet to convince Rica’s parents, and they try all sorts of schemes to raise money to afford one, from party planning to holding a yard sale to entering a poetry contest. But in the end, it might be an act of unselfish kindness and courage that shows that Rica is ready to take on the pet of her dreams. In a rich and amusing story that will appeal to fans of Judy Moody and Ivy and Bean, a sincere and creative protagonist navigates friend and family relationships from funny to frustrating, endearing to insightful.
Black-and-white digital illustrations.
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School Library Journal
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?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.