FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS

Top Dogs learn to heel in this new chapter in a long-standing series.

At last! It’s taken years upon years, but finally Suds is top of the heap. Newbery Medal–winning author Spinelli continues the trials of his put-upon hero—last seen in Fourth Grade Rats (1991)—with another tale that takes its title from the old schoolyard rhyme “First grade babies! / Second grade cats! / Third grade angels! / Fourth grade rats.” Fifth grade is clearly Top Dogs, and Suds and his best friend, Joey, are keen to establish their newfound roles. But it’s hard to be dominant when no one takes you seriously. Suds is still crushing on schoolmate Judy, still bugged by little sister Zippernose, and still beset with doubts about what it takes to be cool in school. He’s aided by his delightfully goofy mom and Joey’s near-calamitous advice. The boys go in for some mild juvenile delinquency, getting caught with amusing alacrity. The heart of the book, however, lies in Suds’ relationship with his sister, which has always been fraught but now takes a turn toward friendship. The levels of sibling meanness may shock some adult readers unused to such honesty on the page, but all works out in the end. Characters present white. Final art unseen.

Youthful shenanigans, smartly conveyed with humor, heart, and candor.