In a third book about Lila, the girl sees all her Great Ideas go unexpectedly wrong during the first month of school. The likable Price School kids are excited about sixth grade. Lila is hoping to be student council president, but when best friend Gayle is nominated, Lila becomes her campaign manager— with unfortunate results. Meanwhile, the class is taking care of egg-babies and Lila's day-care center fails after one of the eggs is kidnapped. With her mother distracted by a new job, and with friends Gayle and Michael excluding her, Lila pauses briefly to wallow in self-pity before taking charge of improving her situation. Some of her Great Ideas do work out after all: Gayle is elected, while Lila becomes editor of the school paper. De Groat's appealing b&w illustrations reveal a diversity in the class that's not evident from the text. Though light, this touches on serious issues of responsibility; McMullan deserves praise for creating its well-rounded, individualized characters. (Fiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: July 23, 1991
ISBN: 0-374-32774-2
Page Count: 148
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1991
While chasing a dog into a neighbor's yard, Jason meets a pair of Intragalactic Troubleshooters with a spaceship in the garage. Despite the catlike Lootna's dire warnings, Jason is recruited by breezy, reckless Cooper Vorr and—without further ado—the team's off to snatch a stolen energy crystal from Urkar Grugg the Awful, return it to the grateful Star-King of Zarr, and listen to some bad jokes by the Star-King's Court Jester Robot. Jason gets back home in time for his drum lesson, and with a nifty new wrist communicator, too. The adventure may be over, but only for today: tomorrow the Giant Lizard Pirates of Zeek are waiting.... Fast, funny light sf from the authors of Max and Me and the Time Machine (1983). Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 9- 11)*justify no*
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 1991
ISBN: 0-06-021761-8
Page Count: 96
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In her second juvenile novel, Guiberson introduces a seventh grader who learns a lot about herself in three challenging days. Darlene's plans for winter vacation are ruined: she must baby-sit Gerry, her four-year-old nephew, while her mother and aunt take a three-day business trip. Moreover, her father gets the flu, Gerry's gecko disappears, and her best friend is tempted to the mall by newer, more glamorous friends. During the ensuing 72 hours, Darlene—who has been impatiently waiting for exciting things to happen to her—discovers that making things happen by taking charge and solving problems can be an exhilarating, validating experience. Guiberson pays careful attention to everyday minutiae and has a good feel for her setting and characters. Unfortunately, a flat style and ineffective pacing slow her unfocused story. Still, the growth of her heroine makes this worthwhile, if unexceptional. (Fiction. 8-12)*justify no*
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 1991
ISBN: 0-689-31688-7
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
