African-American third-grader Ruby Booker is going to school with her three older and immensely popular brothers for the first time. Nevertheless, her brothers will not overshadow her: She plans to show the world that she is a star in her own rights. Many younger siblings find themselves in this exact predicament and will find strength and motivation in Ruby’s spirit. Although the story might bring comfort and familiarity to those readers, they will have to get past both distracting slang and clumsy writing: Ruby’s teacher tells her, “Marcellus was one of the best students I ever had. I had him in the third grade, and now he’s grown up to be such a multitalented, extremely intelligent Hope Road student.” Newton’s black-and-white illustrations break up the space but add little to the story. This series kick-off will publish simultaneously with its second volume, Trivia Queen, 3rd Grade Supreme (ISBN: 978-0-545-01761-9). (Fiction. 7-10)
