DAVID'S RAILROAD

Here is a book that illustrates one of the current problems in children's books,- whether or not to have books about naughtiness. Here's an author who believes in the realistic approach, in accepting the fact that every child has times of naughtiness and stubborness and disobedience- and that discipline of one sort or another goes along with the uncomfortable processes of growing up.... In Two Hundred Pennies David worked to earn the first money towards his electric train. Now- with summer days and first grade facing him in September, David wants to play with his trains in the basement- and his mother wants him to play outdoors. He has a kitty, a puppy, even some fish, and he is supposed to take care of them himself. But he is thoughtless and disobedient and one small naughtiness piles up on another and life gets complicated and unhappy as resentment leaves him no peace. Finally his stubborness gives way, he accepts the ruling- ""no trains for the rest of the summer""- and things begin to straighten out. A completely real and really interesting story, laid in a Jersey town that might be any small town anywhere.