This summer I had the pleasure of reading ‘A Reel Cool Summer’ by Martha Rodriguez to my 8 year old son. In this book, summer is hot and boring. Joey is tired of reading and Danny and Jacqui’s vivid imagination aren’t enough to keep them occupied. What they really want is a place to cool off and have some fun and a swimming pool is just the thing, but can they convince Mom of this? Joey sees an opportunity to add some adventure to their afternoon and hopefully a first prize award, when he reads a flyer about a movie contest for kids. Will the three siblings be able to work together to create an exciting masterpiece that will claim the prize?

We enjoyed the playful nature of this book. Not only was it realistic, which is appreciated, but it also put emphasis on positive habits, such as working together and striving for an end goal. The book also shows the children using their imagination in creative ways.

Martha Rodriguez has a real talent for writing for younger readers. She doesn’t talk down to them and she uses verse that children are able to relate to. This book was also very fun, which is attractive to children. Books at time, are similar in nature and very monotone and children actually become bored by the storyline. That is not the case in ‘A Reel Cool Summer’.

I believe that this book is best for children between the ages of 6 to 9. My son could have read this himself and younger readers could have read this with a little help. However, it is also an enjoyable read during family story time.

We really enjoyed the book and I find that Martha Rodriguez has a genuine talent for writing and look forward to seeing what stories the future will bring. It’s refreshing to read a book that is so positively written with children solving their own problems. I also think that it’s important to show that reading is fun which is what Ms. Rodriguez does within her book and with her book. Not only do the characters decide that reading isn’t boring anymore, but children reading this book will not be bored either. ( )

Bored on a hot summer day, Joey, his brother Danny and sister Jacqui want something to do. They want a pool, but mom says it cost a lot of money. Finding a flyer on the mail box for a movie competition with the reward of money is what gives Joey a great idea. Getting right to works on props, costumes and filming because they have only a few hours till the deadline. After a couple false starts, things seem to come together till the kids are happy with what they have done. Seeing some of the other entries at the library was fun too, but they really wanted to win. Placing third might be alright after all though.

Just the creation of the movie was something fun for the kids to do. A Reel Cool Summer is full of imagination as well as inspiration of things to do. Play acting is entertaining for the kids and so time consuming that they didn’t even realize how quickly the day went by. A great idea for a short or even a long summer project. Quick and easy to read for it’s intended age group (6-9 year olds) although the lines of words would have been easier to follow if they would have been in a more traditional block arrangement instead of being staggered like it sometimes was. Fun ’paper cut-out dolls’ style of illustrations with muted colors that just seemed to pop out the right way with a story telling power of their own. ( )