Izzy Hawthorne: Destiny Awaits by Bethany Baptiste

Izzy Hawthorne: Destiny Awaits Reviews

• 
  Ms. Woc Reader

  So I haven't seen Lightyear but I was interesting in this story seeing as it centers around a Black characters. Disney seems to have changed up a lot of the world as I remember it from the Buzz Lightyear movies from my childhood but that doesn't take away from enjoyment from this book. It's very fast paced and the shorter chapters make it easy to read. Readers follow Izzy as she learns to believe in herself and her dream to follow in her grandmother's footsteps.
• 
  Lily

  What charmed me into reading this book the most is how optimistic Izzy is, even though she’s not a traditional hero for middle-grade stories (in terms of age). This book doesn’t go too deep about living in a legendary family member’s shadow, but it doesn’t need to be. There’s enough action and learning about teamwork and knowing when to ask for help without being explicitly told. Truth to be told, it was easily readable – not just in tone and age group, but how easily the words pulled me into Izzy’s world and kept me there.
  
  There are instances where it seems the actions go a little too fast where I couldn’t “see” how we, the reader, got to point A to point B, but again, for what it is, it’s fine and if anything, a nitpick.
  
  I adored the characters and their banter, and though I was a bit worried Buzz is going to overshadow the story (because Izzy admires the Space Rangers so much and her grandmother had talked so well about Buzz), luckily it didn’t. Though the movie is going to take place from his point of view, the author makes it clear that this book is Izzy’s story (along with Mo and Darby but the focus was squarely on Izzy). And honestly, I wish there were more similar books tied into the movies in such a manner (and no, I haven’t read the Villains’ stories yet but one day I will) because it’s always nice to see what’s going on with the other characters. And I do get it – the movies can only do so much without turning into a 10-episode or so series about everything in order to get what we want.
  
  But still – there’s so much love and care for Izzy and her comrades, And it shines through brightly.
  
  Another aspect I loved about it was the relationship between Izzy and her grandmother, but once again, the shadow her wonderful grandmother cast isn’t the main conflict. She cares more for Izzy than the Hawthorne name and it shows in how much Izzy pushes herself. I do think it’s important as well to show younger readers (and even us older folks) that while her grandmother never intended to put pressure on Izzy, she put pressure on herself and it gave her a perfectionist mindset that’s not so good to have. Again, it doesn’t need to be a hardcore story about learning from your mistakes, learning (and re-learning) to ask for help when you need it, and – most importantly – learning to trust each other and yourself to accomplish your goal. And showing that even adults have fears, phobias, and having to face their fears of their mistakes is such an important lesson for the younger crowd to understand.
  
  Even I’m still learning that it’s okay to be scared, ask for help, and make mistakes – multiple ones! I’m glad that no one was demonized or put down or specifically targeted for always making mistakes and it’s so good. Everyone deserves a second chance and it’s not just Izzy and Buzz who experience these feelings. If there’s a book that deserves to be read along with a movie, make this your first and your next.
  
  
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• 
  Annette

  Look, I'm absolutely in no way the target audience of this book. I know. But I needed it. Toy Story was my childhood. We had a talking Woody and a Buzz with sound effects. I loved the second movie even more than the first and I always liked the thought that my toys had fun without me when I left the room. I can't wait for a new generation to get that same feeling. And I can't wait to watch the new Buzz Lightyear movie that will be released.
  
  And I for sure can't wait for this book to reach its target audience! We have a clearly black girl on the cover. This girl has worked her whole life to become a space ranger and due to science, strange time shizzle and chance she becomes a team with the famous Buzz. I really hope that stories like this will give girls, and even more black girls, the hope that they can be whoever they want to be. And I hope it inspires society to let them be whoever they want to be.
  
  This book is also a great way to get kids excited about sci-fi novels. I have to admit that for my personal taste there was too much fighting and war in space involved in this story, but still. Can you imagine? All those little girls, reading this book and falling in love with the genre and growing up to read stories like this and to maybe even write them? Doesn't it sound like we will get all kinds of new and genre-bending adventures? It does to me!
  
  I also really loved the big lessons in this book. It's a children's book, so the lessons are a little on your nose, but they are important so I'm totally okay with that. The book teaches about believing in others and yourself. It keeps on repeating that it's okay to make mistakes and try to fix them (even in life and death situations! The book was very firm on this message!) and it made sure to tell that no one can save the world alone.
  
  So, come on girls! To infinity....AND BEYOND!
• 
  Adelaide Metzger

  Finished 7/9/23 - So much fun! I loved this! It's a space adventure with heavy themes about overcoming anxieties of the expectations of others and finding purpose with the aid of a good support system. This is also really interesting as this book is the events of the Lightyear movie but completely from the point of view of Izzy Hawthorne but having intermittent flashbacks of Izzy's close relationship with her late grandmother in between moments of the movie.
  
  Bethany Baptise does a beautiful job carrying the themes and weaving them from page 1 to the end. She did a great job making me feel for Izzy and seeing Buzz Lightyear's personal struggle from an outside point of view. I'm really curious to see if Baptise will continue writing in the science fiction genre.
  
  I loved the movie and I love this book. I'm so compelled to write an essay about all the details and themes here. Maybe in the future. TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
• 
  Pamela

  Perfectly adequate story of a woman trying to live up to her grandma’s example on an alien planet in order to defeat an invading robot alien attack. Buzz Lightyear, her grandma’s former partner whose been lost in space for years, returns without having aged more than a few days. He must learn to trust Izzy and her team to succeed. Izzy is 29yo though she flashes back regularly to scenes w her grandma 22 years earlier. One of her teammates is a grey-haired lady. Not sure what audience this works best for, but the sci-if action is entertaining.
• 
  Brandon Nichols

  A great retelling of my favorite movie of the year.
  
  Izzy's perspective is limited, which isn't a problem, but, for me, the best parts were the vignettes that let you see what life was like when Buzz wasn't around.
  
  If you have a kid, let them read it. If you loved the movie, then this is a good little companion piece.
  
  
• 
  Sara Weather

  #120
• 
  Blair

  this was so bad 😭
• 
  Noah Thomas

  Fun book for kids with great morals and lessons. Good for bedtime with kids starting to listen to chapter books