The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane

Azaleah Lane #1

by Nikki Shannon Smith, Mari Lobo (Illustrations)

Azaleah can't wait for her class field trip to the National Zoo in Washington D.C., especially when her teacher announces the chance to earn extra credit. But when Azaleah gets home, she quickly realizes extra credit isn't as easy as she thought. Azaleah's younger sister Tiana can't find Greenie, her stuffed animal, and she's sure he's been stolen. With Mama at the restaurant and Daddy at work on a big case, it seems Azaleah is the only one available to track down the stolen stuffie. Can Azaleah get to the bottom of the mystery in time to finish her extra credit?

Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, African American, Chapter Books

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

I was born and raised in Oakland, CA and now live in Davis, CA with my husband and two children. I love to read, write, listen to music, dance, act silly, and visit the coast. I've worked at elementary schools for over 25 years, and love spending my days with children. My books include: The Little Christmas Elf (2011), Treasure Hunt (2019), Ann Fights for Freedom: An Underground Railroad Survival Story (2019), Noelle at Sea: A Titanic Survival Story (2019), and Charlotte Spies for Justice: A Civil War Survival Story (2019). I have two new titles releasing in 2020! The first is my new series with Capstone titled The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane, releasing January 1st. The second is Sarah Journeys West: An Oregon Trail Survival Story, releasing February 1st.

Reviews

[amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a 7 year old daughter and I requested this book mostly for her. We're black and oftentimes our stories are not told and I feel that it's important for her to read books where characters look like her and share the same cultural background.

To put it shortly, we loved this book. The illustrations are that amazing mix of cute and gorgeous and Azaleah is such a brave, smart character. I was reminded of Doc Mcstuffins in a way in fact!

This book wasn't just for my daughter however, it was for me as well. I am a huge mystery fan and this mystery was a fun ride to go on and attempt to solve with my daughter Juliet. In the end we both feel that a 5 star rating is exactly what The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane deserves although we wish we could give so much more.

This is a fantastic book for all children and adults. If you have a little one you'll definitely want to read it with them and dive into the life of the amazing Azaleah Lane :)

Thank you very much to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*thank you to Netgalley, Capstone and Nikki Shannon Smith for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*


3 stars.

Man, am I the odd one out here. I was interested in this because I liked the sound of it and the cover attracted my attention. Unfortunately the story didn't interest me so much. I'd tried reading it from the mind of my inner child, taking it in as she would. I guess it just wasn't for me because clearly this book has been enjoyed by others.

I do have to add though that the illustrations in here are definitely an easy 5 stars. They are absolutely stunning! The style of the drawings are soft and cozy and the colours are just beautiful. It was because of this that I rounded my star rating from a 2 to a 3. Even if like me, the story isn't as appealing for you, I'm sure you will enjoy just taking the time to look at the drawings. They are worth it.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE AMAZING LIFE OF AZALEAH LANE
Nikki Shannon Smith, author
Mari Lobo, illustrator
Picture Windows Books, a capstone imprint (January 1, 2020)
Age Range: 6 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 2
Lexile Measure: 0610
Series: Azaleah Lane (Book 1)
Hardcover: 112 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1515844641
ISBN: 9781515844648 (hardcover)
ISBN: 9781515844686 (eBook PDF)
+++I was gifted this book by Capstone Publishers for my review for a Multicultural Children’s Book Day event.+++

Azaleah Lane is the middle child of 3 African-American girls. She goes to the zoo on a field trip at school and is given an extra credit assignment which she is excited about doing, but her younger sister lost her bear and needs Azaleah’s help. Her older sister is too busy practicing for a play at school, and mom and dad are working over the weekend. When will Azaleah get her extra credit done?

Azaleah’s story begins at school on a Friday, and ends Monday morning when she arrives at school. Author Nikki Shannon Smith kept Azaleah moving from excitement to worry when her parents ask her to be responsible for helping her sister. Azaleah is written as having some spunk, all while trying to be responsible and successful all while trying to be herself. The storyline moves quickly, so I can see a young reader staying interested throughout the book. Mari Lobo’s illustrations are colorful and bright. The expressions on the characters’ faces are wonderfully accurate for each part of the story.

Nikki Shannon Smith included a glossary of “new” words for the reader, instructions to make a diorama, and questions to answer verbally or written.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
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[Lara Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid transitional chapter book. Kids will identify with the characters and problems in this realistic fiction. I will purchase and introduce this series to the kids.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a finished copy for an honest review for Multicultural Children's Book Day this month. I loved the family relationships--the parental involvement and love and respect that this family had for each other. The characters were well-developed and spot on for the kids' ages. The chapters were well-paced and short enough for beginning chapter book readers. I would recommend this delightful mystery book to all elementary classroom teachers as well as parents seeking attention-grabbing writing to keep their own children reading.

[Shantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cute! Thee illustrations were gorgeous! I loved the embracing of natural hair soooo much! I also loved the dynamic between the sisters (the children and the adults). I thought it was adorable now Azaleah was so excited to do an extra credit project on the weekend (while simultaneously looking forward to cereal and cartoons). This book made me want to do a diorama! Also, I LOVE the glossary at the end! When I was little, I was on an advanced reading level for my age but there were some words I didn’t know the definition and my mom would always make me look them up in a dictionary, so I really appreciated the glossary! A super enjoyable read, I look forward to the next! 🧡

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adore Azaleah and her whole family! In such a short second and third grade chapter book, there is so much that can be discussed! Sibling relationships, dioramas, animals, mysteries, and a restaurant that sounds pretty darn yummy!

Reservations for two at Avec Amour, please!🍴

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Azaleah Lane does have a pretty amazing sounding life. Her parents are successful professionals in their respective fields: she’s a chef-owner of a local restaurant, he’s a lawyer who stands up to the man. Azaleah has an older sister in middle school whose a performer (a triple threat). Her younger sister Tiana is only occasionally irritating. There’s also an Aunt Sam, an interior designer with a dog who babysits when the parents work. They live in a big house with a yard, nice neighbors in a wealthy neighborhood, none of the traffic D.C. is haunted by. We learn most of this in Azaleah’s introduction of herself. But we’ll be reminded of these things during the story.

Azaleah’s narrative context is unusual. I have a population in mind who would look forward to a book whose central conflict is: creating a diorama not only for extra points, but to impress the principal and gain recognition over the school speaker; and a little sister who has lost her stuffed frog (aka best friend) and needs Azaleah’s help finding it. No dead, divorced, distant, or ailing parents or grandparents; no friend-, academic-, or sports-related trouble; no health or financial stressors; no socio-economic, racial, cultural, gender conflicts.*

Moments where you’d think there would be a friend issue the moment slips back into the thin air. Example one: Azaleah names Rose as a best friend. Even though best friend Rose calls for Azaleah to wait up so they can walk to the Panda Exhibit together, Azaleah chooses to ignore her and continue her effort to be among the first to arrive so she can be in the best position relative the view and the zookeeper. We quickly slip back into the educational material of the book sponsored by a school visit to the zoo (mere blocks from her school).

Example two: when the dioramas are brought into the classroom, Azaleah admires how her diorama is a cut above (it’s the only tiger one and the only one to include facts). Rose compliments Azaleah. Azaleah whispers “thank you,” and walks back to her seat, hopeful and proud. Sure, before Rose even said anything, Azaleah thought to herself that Rose made the most “impressive” panda habitat of the lot, but she didn’t say it. Those are the only two mentions of Rose, by the way. I hope we get to learn more about her in future episodes. I can only think that she mustn’t live nearby because why wouldn’t Azaleah try to go work on the diorama with Rose at Rose’s house if only to escape little sister and get it done—older sister Nia went to rehearse with a neighborhood friend to escape interruption…

Of course, Azaleah needed to be around to help Tiana out in what is an unusual mystery story. There are questions and searches, but the mystery competes with Azaleah’s need to create a plan and finish her diorama.

Azaleah wants to work on her diorama of a tiger habitat, but keeps getting interrupted by the insistent mystery that is little sister’s missing frog. Azaleah does like mysteries, and the lost frog is a fairly complex one. She also cares about her sister and Greenie’s disappearance is properly distressing. The conflicts are relatable ones. And each fail to compete with the distractions the other one poses.

The problem and the delightfulness of this chapter book is that the mystery isn’t easily solved for one, and, two, the countdown is a strange one: Azaleah has a homework deadline that is a voluntary, a self-inflicted deadline. There is no suggestion she *has* to earn the extra credit or she’ll fail the class. No, it’s as simple as: she loves crafts, wants to be excellent, and gain the attention (as a middle child myself, I get the public notice part). Her enthusiasm is convincing, and that energy propels the story.

Relationships will also get in the way, like meals where everyone eats together and strict bedtimes. Azaleah enjoys her parent’s company and advice. They’re good listeners, and I adore the part where the dad intervenes with Tiana and defends Azaleah’s boundaries. He also comes up with a clever plan that leads to the solving of the case. The author is fantastic with the plotting of both mystery and art project; prolonging each while still holding the reader’s interest.

Nikki Shannon Smith will also charm you with the Lane family. Azaleah is consistent and unapologetically singular. She and the narrative will only be hers—which is why the Rose-parts are of interest to me. If Rose had a reaction, why would Azaleah notice? I can picture Nia channeling her Dorothy, and Tiana has a sweetness we get to really see in the neighborhood tour to find Greenie. The busy, but present adults are the kind you look forward to revisiting as well. Just so you know, with Mama as a chef, Smith will also make you hungry with all the food mentions.

The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane is a longer chapter book. It does include illustrations by Mari Lobo that capture key moments along the way. I love the sister hug there near the end, and their sleepover with the foot in the face; Nia as Dorothy with that transported expression on her face. Lobo captures and enhances the charm and sense of humor in the book. Lobo will also illustrate some tense moments and we get to see a fullness to Azaleah’s life in a weekend. It has its difficulties--lots of little sister tears and a press for time and follow-through. But these things do not lessen the amazingness of her life, especially since she’s going to solve the mystery and complete an impressive diorama for display despite the interruptions and distractions.

+

*Of note about that narrative context I was describing: “No dead, divorced, distant, or ailing parents or grandparents; no friend-, academic-, or sports-related trouble; no health or financial stressors; no socio-economic, racial, cultural, gender conflicts.” The attributes listed as absent is unusual for what is being published right now across the board; even so, when I think about it, if I didn’t have the illustration of a young black girl loud and proud on the cover, and illustrations involving her black family within the pages…would I have assumed whiteness? How would the protagonist and their family of this narrative, historically, be described in children’s literature?

Some would call a narrative with all the aforementioned absences as “wholesome,” which is problematic. One of the problems being, rarely do I find a black protagonist within the catalog of “wholesome” books my frequenters for “wholesome books” would list off for me; the exceptions tend to be historical fiction. It’s as if “wholesome” isn’t applied to literature with black protagonists. Which makes me wish I were back in the bookstore describing this book, watching them salivate, and then finding Azaleah to hand to them. I would love to add this present-day, front-and-center young black girl to their library.

I would love to add this present-day, front-and-center young black girl to your library.

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful, engaging illustrations dot this story about middle child, Azaleah. Azaleah is a spunky kid who loves Art and mysteries. She goes on a class trip to the zoo and wants to spend the weekend making a diorama of an animal habitat for extra credit. That’s not so easy. Her little sister’s, Tiana’s, favorite stuffed animal is “stolen” and her sister won’t stop bugging Azaleah until it’s found. Azaleah juggles making her diorama and finding Greenie, the stuffed animal. It was a little tough to get in the story, the beginning felt like the author was trying to cram a whole bunch of facts in to make the book educational. The story got better and definitely felt real to life with the sibling interactions. It was all a little too perfect, but it’s a nice realistic fiction book with a mystery and great illustrations.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Azaleah Lane is a third grader who lives in Washington DC. She has an older sister and a younger sister. After an inspiring class field trip to the National Zoo, Azaleah is excited to build a tiger diorama, but her little sister’s missing stuffed animal prevents her from working on it. Greenie the stuffed animal has gone missing and Azaleah is on the case. Can she solve the mystery AND finish her diorama on time?

This book has 10 chapters. Azaleah and her sisters make it a fun story to read. Azaleah was determined to help Tiana and didn’t give up, even though she had to work on her own project. Very enjoyable short chapter book with a story kids can relate to. Azaleah is a character kids will want to visit again on her next detective case!

[Sonia Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enthralled by this first book in the amazing Azalean Lane series by Nikki Shannon Smith. The protagonist Azaleah is an independent, smart, and lively young girl who finds pleasures in solving mysteries, being creative, and spending time with her family. I appreciate the author's realistic depiction of Azaleah and her family which kids from different backgrounds can relate to in terms of sibling relationships, household responsibilities, and managing school work. I look forward to reading the other books in Smith's chapter book series.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Azaleah just had the best day on a field trip to the National Zoo. This weekend she plans to work on the assigned extra credit project to make her own diorama of one of the zoo animals, but those plans are quickly derailed when her younger sister's stuffed animal goes missing. Can she get it all done? A great realistic first chapter book that's super relatable with getting along with siblings, busy parents, and homework. For fans of Jada Jones, Ivy & Bean, Frankie Sparks, and Audrey L. & Audrey W.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations. Azaleah is a smart, high achieving kid who is part of a loving family. The book does a great job of presenting believable everyday life for a busy family, from juggling time with parents around their jobs, to sometimes challenging sibling dynamics. Azaleah is a kind and thoughtful sleuth for minor mysteries, and skilled at creative arts as well. The only thing I was a little surprised at is the density of text per page -- it's quite dense.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute beginning chapter book. I love that the book focuses on family dynamics in a realistic way but the love also shines though. I think it's a great example of Black Joy and I'm excited to purchase the book for my school library. As a zoo lover, I also enjoyed all the National Zoo information.

There was also some great back matter including a glossary, discussion questions and directions to make your own diorama.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable first book of a series for readers transitioning from early readers to chapter books. It has colorful illustrations sprinkled throughout the pages, a nice family, and a good plot. A glossary, talking and writing ideas, as well as a craft idea, round out the nice package of this story.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Azaleah Lane just wants to make her diorama for school, but when her younger sister loses her favorite lovey, Greenie, Azaleah learns she will get nothing done unless she solves the mystery.

Full color illustrations, reading discussion questions and writing prompts in the back, along with instructions to build your own diorama make this young chapter book hard to resist. Move over, Junie B.

[Jami Gigot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great chapter book for early readers. The main character Azaleah is so lovable and sweet.
She is on a mission to bake delicious cookies for her parents as a sweet surprise and never gives up despite having some silly baking mishaps. But, it’s the love this family has for one another that really makes this story shine.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family dynamics are believable. It didn’t blow me away, but it doesn’t have any major problems either, except for the glossary which appears to have been written by someone who’s never met the target audience. For example, the definition of diorama includes the word replication. Replication is not included in the glossary. Most of the defined words use other words the reader will not know.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary level chapter book about three sisters living in Washington DC and the weekend where everyone has something to do besides look for the youngest missing stuffed animal. Cute mystery and lots of choices for the characters.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute early chapter book mystery that deals with all the joys and hassles of having siblings. After I read this book, I hand sold it to two elementary school kids who were super into the storyline and graphics.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cultural representation in this story of a mystery-solving kid. Even when she's annoyed by her younger sib, Azaleah is still helpful (ok, maybe because she has no choice). Can't wait to share this one with my niblings!

[Beth Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud to Gwen. I had high hopes for this one, and parts were cute or fun, but the main plot was a mystery that wasn't mysterious.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great realistic family story! A little mystery, some sibling drama, and colorful illustrations throughout. Highly recommended for 1st grade and up!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Azaleah does indeed have an amazing life! This is a really cute easy chapter book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. The characters are relatable. The story is fun. And, the pictures are adorable. A must read.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute family story

[Cleo Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really cute! Very relatable, great mix of realistic fiction and mystery. Diversity was seamlessly integrated into the story.

[Katrina]

Sweet story. Has good BIPOC representation.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new series from Capstone Publishing. This first book in the series introduces us to Azaleah and her family. She lives with her mom, who owns a restaurant, and her dad, who is a lawyer. Azaleah is the middle sibling. Her big sister, Nia, is getting ready for her school play and her little sister, Tiana, tends to aggravate Azaleah! Right now Azaleah wants nothing more than to use her weekend to work on her extra-credit diorama of tigers, like the ones she saw on her class field trip to the National Zoo. But Tiana needs Azaleah's help to solve a big mystery - her stuffie is missing and she neeeeeeds it! Readers will understand what it's like to just want to do your own thing but at the same time want to help out.
The problem in this story is written as a mystery so I'm interested in knowing if that's how the rest of the series will be or if it will mix things up.
Full color illustrations and it comes in at just over 100 pages. Ideas at the end of the book that go along with the story. This is a nice stepping stone up from Capstone's Yasmin and Saadiq series.