Rotten Ralph (Rotten Ralph’s Rotten Romance, 1997, etc.) returns in a ninth adventure, afraid of losing Sarah’s attention and affection when she starts school. He sets her clocks back, messes up her school clothing, and fakes illness to prevent her from leaving for school on the first day. When those efforts fail, he sneaks into school disguised as a student and disrupts Sarah’s day—even getting her in trouble—with a series of tricks. Most readers will be able to identify Ralph’s fear of change and worries about losing his best friend. As always, Gantos supplies a happy ending for Ralph and Sarah; it’s safely predictable while providing some surprises along the way. (Picture book. 4-6)
