HEY YOU, SISTER ROSE

Even before sixth grade begins, Sister Rose has Arlene pegged as needing to be kept in line, while Arlene dreads being in her class. A bit feckless, occasionally hapless, and sure that Sister Rose doesn't understand her, Arlene continually finds herself in difficulty; after a series of mishaps and gaffes, she is certain the teacher dislikes her. Meanwhile, though Arlene has become friends with new girl Eunice, she's overwhelmed with difficulties when she's assigned to write about her: Eunice is smelly and unkempt. Her sights set on an English prize, Arlene finds her anger toward Sister Rose flashing into hatred as she faces the assignment's apparent impossibility. Only at year's end does Arlene realize that her teacher has understood her better than she understood herself—in calling up Arlene's best, Sister Rose has changed her forever. Reminiscent of Eleanor Estes's The Hundred Dresses in its theme of love and a generous spirit overcoming petty differences, this first novel, set in the early 50's, is a pleasant coming-of-age story about a child who gets support from both friends and family: a welcome change from down- and-dirty problem novels. (Fiction. 8-11)