ELLIE'S BIRTHSTONE RING

The author of several contemporary fantasies (Mail-Order Wings, 1981) tells a realistic story about the two weeks before a seventh birthday. In her first grade, Ellie has three friends with whom she enjoys imaginative games (at one point ``Pioneers'' becomes ``Pioneers and Fairies''—after all, Dorothy was from Kansas); slightly older neighbor Ruth is also a sometime playmate, though her camaraderie evaporates in the presence of girls her own age. Mom has set a limit of three for the birthday sleepover; as Ruth—believably depicted as a spoiled youngest child, thoughtless but not ill-natured—blows confusingly warm and cold, Ellie puts her on and off the list. A cutting put-down of Ellie's treasured $2.98 ring gets Ruth off for what seems like the last time; but when she shows up at the party after all, Ellie's mom helps save the situation, as well as the uneasy friendship. Gormley does a good job of capturing her young characters' conversations and imaginative play, slipping in enough detail about their families to give their alliances and concerns some depth. Likable, perceptive, easily read. B&w drawings not seen. (Fiction/Young reader. 6-9)