Popped Star

Gumazing Gum Girl #3

by Rhode Montijo, Luke Reynolds

When Gabby Gomez chews gum (even sugar-free!), something gumazing happens. She turns into Gum Girl!

Our super-stretchy superhero is ready for action! But Gabby still hasn't revealed her secret identity to her parents, her tooth is aching, and a new superhero has just twirled into town? Ninja-Rina!

No crime is tutu big for Ninja-Rina! But Gabby is not so sure. Is this town big enough for two superheroes?

Genres: Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Latinx, Adventure

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 2, 2014

Reviews

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gum Girl is a fun, fast read. With easy to read words, an engaging storyline, and illustrations that make this story even more exciting, this is a book I'd recommend for all readers under the age of ten. Plus what's not fun about a book that smells like gum? Also included in this book is a poster under the dust jacket. My favorite part of this book is what Gum Girl writes in her Hero essay at the end of the book; "Anybody can be a hero".

FULL REVIEW https://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2018/...

[Carrie Charley Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her second adventure, Gabby Gomez, a.k.a Gum Girl, is not only left with a cavity in her tooth, but also on her conscience. She has still not revealed her secret identify and gum-chewing ways to her dentist father and does not want to disappoint her family. “Ai, no!” Gum Girl is back for round three, and this time she’s going sugar-free. But will her new gum provide the protection that her community needs? With a new super hero in town, sugar-free gum is not the only thing that could burst her bubble.

As with the second book, I appreciate the cultural family notes and moral undertones of this adventure. And it really is that: an action-packed adventure, reminiscent of what kids watch on television. For this reason, and it being a close relative to a graphic novel, kids will love it. It provides easy-to-read, repetitive language that makes young readers focus less on words and more on moving forward. Parents will cheer in the background as they see wrong turn into right and perhaps even recognize that sometimes they need to chill out when it comes to pushing their kids to win more, do more, and be more than what they desire.

I received a review copy of this book from Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabby Gomez is an unassuming elementary school student ... except when she chews gum. Then, she becomes Gum Girl, a super stretchy superhero! The premise and her previous adventures are tidily summed up in the first few pages. The action begins when Gabby decides to tell her parents the truth about her powers, but, since she is in her father's dentist's chair and her mouth is full of novacaine, it gets lost in translation. Her superhero pride is challenged by the appearance of a newcomer to her town: Ninja-Rina. When Gabby realizes something is not quite right about this new superhero, she must think of a way to get clarity and keep the peace. This fun early chapter book has lots to recommend it: fast action, diverse characters (Gabby is Latina), relatable interpersonal and family details, and attractive and profuse comic book style cartoons in a retro three part color scheme. Oh, and a girl whose super powers derive from chewing gum, even when it's sugar-free!

[Shawn Robare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've recently read and re-read this series to my 5 year-old daughter and I wanted to add them here because I really love what Rhode Montijo has done with these books. First of all, they are beautifully illustrated with a minimalistic color palette, and the pages are mostly heavily illustrated. That said, there is a fair amount of text, which is a balance that my daughter needs/loves right now. Picture books were becoming boring for her, but she is just not ready for true chapter books, so a series like this is perfect where we get through each book in a couple of sittings. I also love the way the overall series is set up. These are primers for comic books and graphic novels which I think is great, heavily leaning on cliffhanger endings that lead to the next book and keep my daughter absorbed in the story. They also build on themselves, growing the story into a larger narrative.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I had read the previous 2 in the series on Youtube. So many children were listening over the summer to the one I posted on the last day of school, that I did another once I had a document camera for recording. The students really love this series. It is fun because the writing is like talking. This one is about a new superhero, Ninja-Rina. After issues, they end up working together. I appreciate that her family finally knows.

It is very creative and the students love the pictures. I have followers from S. Korea and Australia, as well as the US. My students love this series and race to find the books in the series.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is dynamic and fun to read. It's a great book for girl power and learning to work with people who are making choices you don't like. Gum girl is likable with relatable problems, yet some amazing abilities. It's the kind of book that will resonate with all kids under the age of 9.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww, this was cute. I liked the second superhero added to the mix. Also, Gabby comes clean... but it doesn't turn out quite like she expected... Great lesson on what it means to be a hero.

[TBO The Bookaholic’s Outlet]

One hard back