The Perfect Place

When Lucas, portrayed with brown skin, receives a perfect score on his robot report, he floats "with his head held high." But his father's truck breaks down after school, the electricity at home is again shut off, and his mother rushes to work before he can show her the report. In his apartment bedroom, he considers the peeling paint and orange juice-stained rug. Later that night, a strange light lures Lucas down the fire escape and to a golden gate inside which "the perfect people lived" amid wide, bright streets, and where the mayor presents him with a Medal of Perfection for reciting his report. Then a boy in the crowd, who looks eerily like Lucas, causes an orange juice spill, resulting in silence and shame. The mayor speaks of healing after the incident, a uniformed crew cleanses the spot, people assure each other that "all could still be perfect in their perfect place"--and Lucas runs for his home, where authentic connection abounds. Digital illustrations by Escobar (A Plate of Hope) juxtapose the warmth of Lucas's metropolitan neighborhood against a brightly oppressive alternate realm as Newbery Medalist de la Peña weighs perfectionism against the messiness of real-life love--"the right kind of imperfect." Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Amy Kitcherside, Pickled Ink. (May)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 3--When Lucas receives a perfect grade on his robot report, he can't wait to share it with his family. But his dad's work truck keeps having trouble and his mom must rush out to her job at the local diner, so Lucas never gets the chance to share his news. At night, Lucas is woken by a light outside his window, and he decides to climb down to find the source. Lucas stumbles upon a place where everything is beautiful and perfect, and where he is recognized for his robot report. But in this perfect place, Lucas soon finds there is no room for making mistakes, and he begins to long for his imperfect home, full of its own beauty. Lovely illustrations welcome readers to Lucas's neighborhood with dark but luminous shades, illuminate the bright sunny place where everything is perfect, and convey the love Lucas and his family have for one another. VERDICT Sharing the message that things do not have to be perfect to be beautiful, this picture book is a good choice for children's collections.--Selenia Paz

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for The Perfect Place

* "Digital illustrations by Escobar (A Plate of Hope) juxtapose the warmth of Lucas's metropolitan neighborhood against a brightly oppressive alternate realm as Newbery Medalist de la Peña weighs perfectionism against the messiness of real-life love—'the right kind of imperfect.'" —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Teaches young readers to be grateful about their individual upbringings and proud of their roots . . . Gorgeous watercolor vignettes and bright action scenes accompany this heartwarming, uplifting narrative about valuing uniqueness and imperfection over flawless idealism." —Booklist

"Charming . . . A gentle reminder of the genuine beauty found in life's wonderfully imperfect moments." —Kirkus Reviews

"Lovely illustrations welcome readers to Lucas's neighborhood with dark but luminous shades, illuminate the bright sunny place where everything is perfect, and convey the love Lucas and his family have for one another." —School Library Journal