Second grade gets off to a rough start when Francie gets Sister ``Grizzly'' (Ursula), but at least she's able to deprive smug Annabelle of the lead in The Wizard of Oz by coaching new friend Stella so well that she gets the part. Still, Francie is mortified by her own role, Toto; and Stella can't seem to remember her lines. However, Francie does, and she ends up as star after all after Stella comes down with chicken pox (the family dog plays Toto). MacDonald keeps the story moving with lively dialogue and plenty of realistic, childlike minidramas; Christelow reflects her deft characterizations in lightly humorous b&w art. A fine early chapter book. (Fiction. 7-10)
