Review – Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes
Series: Beatrice Zinker #1
Published by Lothian Children's Books on 2017
Genres: Junior Fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Personal book collection

‘There are infinite upsides to being yourself.’

Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes (Lothian Children’s Books, 2017) introduces the delightful Beatrice Zinker. Beatrice is kind, inquisitive and adventurous. She cares about her family and friends and does her best thinking when she is upside down.

Unfortunately, not everyone can accept Beatrice’s quirks and her new teacher sees her as disruptive and disrespectful. This is challenging enough, but Beatrice is also confused by the changes in her best friend Lenny over the school holidays and has to adapt to the arrival of a new girl in class who is distracting Lenny and making it harder for Beatrice to find time to talk to her friend.

I love Beatrice as a character – she’s doing her best to be caring and do the right thing in her own unique way. She’s wonderfully herself, although that isn’t appreciated by everyone and does result in some misunderstandings and mishaps along the way.

This is a fun book about friendship, being yourself, and dealing with change. It’s the first book in a series and there are currently three titles available. The story is suitable for older junior fiction readers.