"This is a compelling YA debut from the internationally bestselling Leimbach. All the characters have depth, especially Kira, whose growth will entice readers to invest in her struggles and cheer for her successes. Leimbach also handles the science well, explaining what is happening without letting it slow down the action, focusing more on the characters’ emotions than the scientific procedures. VERDICT A thrilling debut with a heroine to root for and an excellent story that will keep surprising readers." — School Library Journal
"Leimbach imbues her story with a love of science, as Kira latches on to real scientific principles, discoveries, and fun facts in her quest to make an impact in the scientific world. Kira is easy to root for as she tackles life’s hurdles. Readers . . . will appreciate the unpredictability of the story that allows for satisfying plot twists that keep the pages turning, and the planned second book . . . is sure to be thrilling." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Dragonfly Girl is unlike any other book I have read. The plot is taut and devilishly cunning, the science behind the story is brilliantly researched, and the writing pulls you in and doesn't let go until the very last page. You'll find yourself aching for the heroine's hardships at first, before suddenly being whisked off into a heart-thumping adventure that will leave you breathless. THIS BOOK SLAPS." — Jesse Q Sutanto, the author of Dial A for Aunties
"Dragonfly Girl is a uniquely smart book, with a story you will not see coming, and characters that ring true. Readers will be challenged and delighted. Invest some time in Dragonfly Girl and let author Marti Leimbach take you on a surprising, utterly original ride. I loved it!" — Michael Grant, bestselling author of the GONE series
“Marti Leimbach has written an intriguing and thrilling novel that could very well entice readers to take a closer look at careers in science, while entertaining them along the way with astonishing facts." — Todd Strasser, author of The Wave , Fallout and many other novels for young adults
". . . The fast pace and high stakes are engaging . . . An exciting adventure about a girl in STEM . . . " — Kirkus Reviews
"Leimbach imbues her story with a love of science, as Kira latches on to real scientific principles, discoveries, and fun facts in her quest to make an impact in the scientific world. Kira is easy to root for as she tackles life’s hurdles. Readers . . . will appreciate the unpredictability of the story that allows for satisfying plot twists that keep the pages turning, and the planned second book . . . is sure to be thrilling."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Dragonfly Girl is a uniquely smart book, with a story you will not see coming, and characters that ring true. Readers will be challenged and delighted. Invest some time in Dragonfly Girl and let author Marti Leimbach take you on a surprising, utterly original ride. I loved it!"
"Dragonfly Girl is unlike any other book I have read. The plot is taut and devilishly cunning, the science behind the story is brilliantly researched, and the writing pulls you in and doesn't let go until the very last page. You'll find yourself aching for the heroine's hardships at first, before suddenly being whisked off into a heart-thumping adventure that will leave you breathless. THIS BOOK SLAPS."
Marti Leimbach has written an intriguing and thrilling novel that could very well entice readers to take a closer look at careers in science, while entertaining them along the way with astonishing facts."
"Leimbach imbues her story with a love of science, as Kira latches on to real scientific principles, discoveries, and fun facts in her quest to make an impact in the scientific world. Kira is easy to root for as she tackles life’s hurdles. Readers . . . will appreciate the unpredictability of the story that allows for satisfying plot twists that keep the pages turning, and the planned second book . . . is sure to be thrilling."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Leimbach imbues her story with a love of science, as Kira latches on to real scientific principles, discoveries, and fun facts in her quest to make an impact in the scientific world. Kira is easy to root for as she tackles life’s hurdles. Readers . . . will appreciate the unpredictability of the story that allows for satisfying plot twists that keep the pages turning, and the planned second book . . . is sure to be thrilling."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
12/01/2020
Gr 8 Up— Kira Adams's home life is a mess. Her mother is sick, and they are buried in debt. Winning a prestigious science contest takes Kira to Sweden and provides a much-needed payday until it's discovered she lied on the contest application and may be disqualified. However, the intervention of the brilliant scientist Dr. Gregory Munn brings redemption and an exciting opportunity at his prestigious facility. Kira makes the most of the opportunity until panic and guilt over the death of a lab rat in her care causes her to expand on a colleague's work and miraculously bring the dead rat back to life. Now known as the girl who unlocked the cure for death, Kira's fortunes seem changed until she also discovers that the world of science has a dark side, and the one death she can't cure may be her own. This is a compelling YA debut from the internationally bestselling Leimbach. All the characters have depth, especially Kira, whose growth will entice readers to invest in her struggles and cheer for her successes. Leimbach also handles the science well, explaining what is happening without letting it slow down the action, focusing more on the characters' emotions than the scientific procedures. The book lends itself to upcoming volumes, which should be eagerly anticipated. Kira's race isn't specified, and there is a range of racial and ethnic diversity among secondary characters. VERDICT A thrilling debut with a heroine to root for and an excellent story that will keep surprising readers.—Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX
2020-11-12
At the time, Kira’s only concern is claiming the prize money needed to pay off her ailing mother’s debts after her father's death. Instead, her world collides with those of several mysterious and powerful men intent on harnessing her knowledge for their own dubious agendas. Suddenly, she finds herself sucked into the orbit of international scientist-spies working to exploit her accidental discoveries as a means to cure death. As she falls deeper into a winding maze filled with lab rats, a science prodigy, and menacing Russian operatives, Kira discovers that knowledge can be a dangerous business. Her research takes her from Northern California to Stockholm to Siberia to Moscow as she struggles to remain two steps ahead of her many pursuers. She doesn’t just need to perfect a way to raise the dead, she needs to find a way to stay alive. Although Kira struggles financially, readers learn very little else about her. While the fast pace and high stakes are engaging, the book tackles too many storylines without interrogating the identity or interiority of the characters. Most characters default to White, but naming conventions imply some racial or ethnic diversity.
An exciting adventure about a girl in STEM undercut by limited character development. (Thriller. 14-18)
