Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: Absolute Hero
Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad, Book 1

I Picked Up This Book Because: I am a fan of the illustrator’s work.

Media Type: Hardcover
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 3/5/22 - 4/14/22
Stars: 3

The Characters:

Izzy Newton:
Allie Einstein, Charlie Darwin, Marie, Gina (who are also named for famous scientist but I don’t have my notes with me and I can’t remember who)

The Story:

Overall I found this book cute and adorable. Something I can see a family reading together. Izzy and her friends are starting sixth grade. There is a new (to them), bigger school, new kids and an old friend coming back from sometime overseas. They all learn to work together to figure out solutions to the school's problems and they work together as a team. As someone who works in a middle school I have reasonable doubt to the kids free access to the building but it’s fiction so I let it go.

Writing: Good. It was a cute and fun story.
Forward Motion:The story moved along well.
Overall Interest: I think if I were sharing this story with a child it would have held my interest more but I am not the intended audience so I am not surprised it did not hold my interest well.
Length of Reading Time: This took way longer than it should have for the number of pages. I point to my lack of interest.
Re-read-ability: None ( )

An enjoyable start to this series about an all-girl squad who like to solve scientific mysteries. All five girls have unique personalities and quirks, and there are cute black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout that satisfyingly matches the description of each girl.

I thought the mystery was well-crafted, I liked that the solution was one where it could be believable that the adults on the case may have overlooked it and its always great to see girls portrayed as working together rather than at each other’s throats. I don’t love that the girls refuse to take credit for their endeavors but I guess the secretiveness does have a superhero flair to it.

Main character Izzy has some anxiety issues so you feel for her when she seems to be ostracized and you cheer for her when she persists and triumphs over her fears. I particularly loved her in the moment when she chooses to reach out to someone even though she’s felt slighted by that person, it spoke volumes about who she is, a character I’ll be happy to get know better as the series progresses, and hopefully we get to see her play hockey at some point.

I received this book through a giveaway. ( )