WHO'LL VOTE FOR LINCOLN?

In hopes that an officer's status might help him get permission to use the vacant lot near school for a class garden, Plum Street regular Lincoln Farnum decides to run for class president. Most readers will find his campaign promises (a climate of excellence leading to better schoolwork, cleaner classroom, etc.) as goodie-goodie as his opponent Mooch's are cynical. ""Bigger Is Better"" is Mooch's slogan, and he stands for more holidays, less homework, and bigger ice cream cones. Right in character, Lincoln refuses to run a ""smear campaign,"" but then, with Mooch handing out peanuts and the class chanting for chocolate shakes, Lincoln finds himself promising a shake apiece if he's elected. Shame leads to a public apology and withdrawal from the race, but he's elected anyway, and while the votes are cast, Lincoln happens to expose a so-called church behind the vacant lot as a bookie joint, thus almost ensuring that the grateful owner will allow the garden. Lincoln hasn't changed much since his first appearance twelve years and four books back; the blandness of his easy-to-read adventures is more apparent now, but no doubt they'll continue to serve.