Leeva At Last by Sara Pennypacker, Matthew Cordell
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 9780063114425
Genres: Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Pennypacker brings her signature Clementine wit to the story of Leeva, a winsome child of two terrible, selfish parents. Readers will immediately be put in mind of Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Lois Lowry’s Willoughbys, but while this book reflects the dreadful parents and enterprising, intelligent children in both stories, Leeva’s tale is all her own. Her parents, in the roles of Town Mayor and Town Treasurer, respectively, have overtaxed the residents and embezzled the revenue. Everyone in town hates them and when Leeva, long kept indoors as a sort of servant, ventures outside, she is afraid they will hate her by extension. However, she makes many friends and eventually figures out a plan to return all the money, send her parents packing off into the sunset, and have a happy ending.

The humor, quirky characters, short chapters, engaging writing and well-known author combine to make this an easy book to put in patron hands. Charming black and white illustrations by Matthew Cordell appear throughout the book and add a playfulness reminiscent of Norton Juster.

Reviewed by:  Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta