Fabulous Fantasy and Science Fiction

 

In Maya and the Robot, Maya finds a robot named Ralph in the back of Mr.Mac's convenience store closet. She uses the scientific method to repair Ralph and get him running smoothly again for her science fair project. Maya has found her scientific superpower as Ralph becomes a member of her family and connects Maya to a new circle of friends. One of the themes of this book is using your skills to make the world a better place. Mr. Mac thanks Maya for keeping his son, Christopher's spirit alive through her work with Ralph. "As long as a young person stays true to their spirit, as long as they use their gifts from others, his light will shine on. His light will shine on" (p. 176). 

As the protagonist in this book, Maya is a mirror for young Black girls interested in STEM. It is important that more books like Maya are written because we need more people of color in science careers. It is essential that everyone has role models to aspire to and know that they can accomplish what they set their minds to. In addition, the expressive and action-packed illustrations are appropriate for the middle-grade reader and provide a glimpse into Maya's community.

Ewing, E. L. (2022). Maya and the Robot. Kokila.

Sisters of the Neversea is a book based on the fantasy fairy tale Peter Pan. Wendy Darling and Lily Roberts are stepsisters and their baby brother, Michael, is added to the family. Peter Pan lures Wendy to Neverland with Michael because he wants a storyteller (Wendy) for the island. Looking for some excitement beyond the Tulsa suburbs, Wendy flies with Peter and Michael to Neverland. Eventually, Lily flies after her step-sister and brother although she thinks it is dangerous to leave home. On the island, the Darling-Roberts children must defend themselves against pirates, fairies, a crocodile, and other wild animals to find their way back home. 

The importance of familial love and having a family to belong to is a clear theme of this story. Peter Pan was abducted from his family as a young child, and therefore, stole children himself to create his own family. "Wendy was growing to understand Peter. Like her, he had been taken from a loving home. Like her, he was longing for a family" (p. 288). Lily and Wendy then explained to Peter Pan that families take different forms and change over time. "All families change. People come and go. Sometimes they live in your heart" (p. 290). At the end of the story, Captain Smee informs Peter Pan that he can join her family, and she will be his safe harbor that he had been hoping for forever. 

Smith, C. L. (2021). Sisters of the Neversea. Harper Collins.