Jazzy's Quest: Adopted and Amazing!

Name: Jazzy's Quest: Adopted and Amazing!
Item: Jazzy's Quest: Adopted and Amazing!
Rating: 3
Author: Regan McMahon

Book review by

Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media

Jazzy's Quest: Adopted and Amazing! Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

(i)

Adopted girl discovers how she's special in engaging tale.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

Explores the feelings an adopted kid can have. A glossary explains terms in the text such as "open adoption," "birth mother," and "foster care."

Positive Messages

It's OK to be different. "What's important is to follow your own path and become excellent at whatever you like."

Positive Role Models & Representations

Jazzy is honest about her feelings and strives to find her special talent. Her birth and adoptive families are loving and supportive. Her friend Alex, who uses a wheelchair, is confident and optimistic and encourages Jazzy.

Violence & Scariness

Language

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Jazzy's Quest: Adopted and Amazing! is an empowering story of Star Wars-obsessed fourth- grader Jasmine (nicknamed Jazzy), who's loved by both her birth and adoptive families. Still, she feels different and alone -- she doesn't know any other adopted kids -- and she's nervous about finding a special talent to show off at the upcoming community talent show. This short illustrated early chapter book explores feelings of insecurity and isolation and realistically portrays a tween girl struggling with identity issues. Its upbeat and encouraging message about different abilities and finding what's unique and amazing about you is relatable and delivered in an entertaining way.

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What's the story?

Fourth-grader Jasmine is a dark-haired Latina adoptee in a loving family of pale redheads. She's also loved by her birth mom, Antonia, and birth brother, Carlos, and the two families share a Christmas dinner each year. As the community talent show approaches, Jasmine wonders what special talent she has to show off. Is she musical like her adoptive family, good at sports like her birth brother, artistic like her birth mother? Why can't she be confident like her friend Alex, who's ready to blow away the competition with his wheelchair break-dancing? How will this Star Wars-loving girl figure out what to perform?

Is it any good?

This upbeat story explores a tween adoptee's feelings of isolation and concerns about her identity. Any readers who've ever felt they didn't fit in will relate to appealing main character Jasmine's worries as the talent show approaches. JAZZY'S QUEST: ADOPTED AND AMAZING! is an entertaining read that effectively treats a serious issue with a light touch. And the cartoon-like black-and-white illustrations have kid appeal, especially for beginning readers.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how it can feel to be an adopted kid. Can you relate to Jazzy's situation? Do you know adopted kids at your school?
How does Jazzy's passion for Star Wars help her get through this moment in her life? Do you have a movie series, book series, or video game series that inspires you and gives you something to share with friends or siblings?
How does feeling different compare with feeling special? Can you feel both things at the same time? Are they the same, depending on how you look at them?