SURPRISE PARTY

From Sachs (Another Day, 1997, etc.), the smart and funny tale of a really good kid—bright, talented, nice to everyone, the apple of her parents’ eye, and her teachers’ darling—who craves more attention from her parents. There are two big clouds in Gen Bishop’s great life: the presence of her little brother, a holy terror named Ernest, and the fact that he gets all the attention in the family. The occasion of her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary gives Gen an idea’she’ll throw the best party ever for them and snare the spotlight for once. Word of her plan gets out, however, and before long, everyone is helping out—family, friends, and even a few strangers. Gen loses all control; the worst comes when Ernest contacts the children’s estranged grandmother and successfully lures her to the party. This is Sachs, so all’s well that ends well, and predictably, Gen realizes that Ernest isn’t so bad after all. The simple, brisk plot has plenty of lively scenes and the large cast of characters are all believable—and often, believably loony. (Fiction. 10-14)