Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Readers already acquainted with angsty Gabby Garcia will most enjoy this sequel in which her detailed, carefully-crafted plans for summer are constantly thwarted. Her BFF Diego returns from a year in Costa Rica "totally different"; Gabby's now a catcher instead of pitcher on her baseball team; and does Johnny really like-like her? Tweens should connect with Gabby's journal-style narrative about such confusing changes.

Kirkus Reviews

Crafty Chavo outsmarts the other team in an otherworldly game of capture the flag.A group of children gathers in the park as evening falls. The group varies in age and race, and each child holds a flashlight in hand. The team leaders shake hands; now the team selection can begin. One brown-haired, olive-skinned boy, Chavo, can't wait to be picked, barely containing his glee. As the smallest one in the group, Chavo is chosen last, but he's just as happy anyway. Each leader hoists their team's flag, flashlights flick on, and the game begins. Suddenly, the park transforms into a purple, pink, and blue sci-fi landscape, complete with two moons and dangerous wildlife. Both groups huddle up and plot away, and Chavo must go into the alien jungle to hide his team's flag. But when his entire team rushes into a trap, Chavo finds himself all alone. How will he win the game? Similar to earlier series entries Belinda the Unbeatable and Andrew the Seeker (both 2017), Nordling and Silva's latest collaboration combines play and imagination in one captivating, clever mishmash of fun. Featuring crisp, clean, and vibrant panels, humorous close-ups, and swift transitions, this wordless graphic novel overflows with delight, anchored by a likable, cunning protagonist. Chavo's victory is never in doubt, but it's still great to see the littlest player pull it off against the odds.An exuberant, delightful underdog's tale. (Graphic adventure. 5-9)

School Library Journal (Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-Gr 2 This latest in this series of wordless graphic novels centers on an epic nighttime game of capture the flag (with lasers). Chavo is the first to arrive in the large park but the last picked for the blue team. As night falls, the playground and wooded park transform into a menacing alien landscape, complete with two moons and giant toothy serpents. Chavo bravely hides his team's flag but is left behind as his teammates run into the pink territory. This oversight turns out to be a boon when they are tagged by the pink team's lasers and are frozen in place. Chavo improvises a clever distraction when his own laser doesn't work and then captures the pink team's flag and makes it back to blue territory. Vibrant colors in distinct palettes, good comic timing, and engaging facial expressions make it easy to follow the action as well as the ups and downs of Chavo's experience. VERDICT Highly recommended for elementary graphic novel collections. Jennifer Costa, Cambridge Public Library, MA