Jacqueline Jules is the award-winning author of more than twenty children’s books, many of which were inspired by her work as a teacher and librarian. The Zapato Power Series Author and Illustrator: In fact, I was thrilled to see a whole stack of Freddie Ramos Rules New York on my most recent visit to our neighborhood library. The series is also perfect for independent reading groups in the 1st-3rd grade range. Additional Zapato Power activities are available on Jacqueline Jules’s website here.īottom Line: This is a must-have addition to classroom and library shelves. Teaching Recommendations: Like the other books in the Zapato Power series, this book would make an excellent choice for classroom read-alouds with pauses to talk about situations, make predictions, evaluate characters’ decisions, and/or connect events in the story to students’ own lives. Liam Miguel isn’t a balanced bilingual, but he loved being able to recognize and pronounce the occasional Spanish words and Latinx cultural reference points incorporated in the story.

Now he wants to know when WE get to visit the city! Sure, a trip to NYC isn’t as exotic as some of the destinations in the Magic TreeHouse series, but Liam Miguel loved glimpsing New York through the story, from the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center to the massive displays of televisions in an electronics shop window.

Liam Miguel noticed that Freddie never uses his powers just to get what he wants he is always looking to assist people in need, whether it’s his uncle who has lost a wedding ring or a stranger on the street.

Freddie uses his special tools and skills to help others.

Zapato powers! Who wouldn’t want a pair of special shoes that would let you bounce higher than buildings, run so fast you’re just a blur, and hear conversations that would be well out of typical earshot?.

Here is a quick summary of what Liam Miguel said he liked about it: He gobbled the book in about three nights. The level was just right for him to read on his own, but he let me join him since we wanted to do this review. Liam Miguel’s take: Liam Miguel was six when we read this book together. Liam Miguel hanging out with his little brother, Ethan Andrés.

Zapato Power by Jacqueline Jules