Sharon Giltrow (text) and Thu Vu (illustrator), Samara Rubin and the utility belt (Utility belt series #1), Clear Fork Publishing, August 2023. 87 pp., RRP $18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781950169887 (link to Amazon)
Samara and the utility belt is the first book in a new series about children who have magical utility belts that give them super powers.
In this first book, 11-year-old Samara Rubin (known as Sami) receives a mysterious birthday present from her favourite uncle. It is a utility belt with 11 magical tools and a note listing rules for its use. It must be used within 7 days and “only when needed” with “one use per tool”. The belt turns out to be useful for solving all sorts of problems. Could it help Sami overcome her biggest fear – standing up to school bully, Toby?
Several appealing elements in this story make for pleasant reading. There’s a cute gecko sidekick to help and support Sami, imaginative magical elements and the heartening idea of a deserving protagonist given opportunities to rise above their difficulties. The story has good plot tension as Sami faces her difficult challenges and works to solve problems, before the 7-day deadline.
My only reservation about the story is that I would have liked a more credible plot resolution.
I recommend this book for 7-10 year olds who enjoy magical realism and stories about friendship and finding courage to face fears and tackle difficulties.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
Find an interview with author, Sharon Giltrow here.
