Rating: Not for me

Reading level: Early Elementary

Possible Concerns:

  • Revenge. Ellie’s water balloon launcher contraption is built out of revenge & anger at the boys who wouldn’t let her play soccer.
  • Deceit. Ellie lies & deceives people to avoid facing their opinions about who is & isn’t ok to play with.
  • Body humor. The boys like to draw pictures of butts.

Things I like:

  • Girls in STEM. Ellie is a smart girl who is way into designing & building anything from a security system to a doghouse.
  • Gender Security. She is 100% feminine (I’m talking glitter skirts and sequins) but still can embrace her interest in traditionally masculine hobbies (straps a tool belt on and scouts the neighborhood for fix-it tasks to do).

The writing is ok, and the overall premiss is splendid, but this one just didn’t knock my socks off. Ellie’s reasoning is based on self interest and generally lacks courage or honor. Plus, although she does it to try to help people, there is just so much lying when she could just come clean.