Matthew (``Gopher'') Goff is being victimized by the fifth- grade bully, who daily steals his milk money. But when Fletcher also steals the $3.00 the class has entrusted to Gopher to buy supplies to make their teacher a super-special valentine, Gopher is finally forced to stand up to him. Fletcher's bark turns out to be worse than his bite; he even helps Gopher make the valentine—a praiseworthy reconciliation, but not very believable, with insufficient motivation for the characters' sudden changes in attitudes and behavior. Timorous Gopher becomes not only brave but reckless; and when Fletcher backs down, Gopher forgives him far too readily, considering how long he's been humiliated and frightened by the bully. Not likely to ring true to its audience. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-670-84839-5
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1992
Beginning at the grocery, where most urban people today get food, Patent discusses the sources of foods that are made into such products as ``Tater Tots,'' ``V-8,'' and ``Uncle Ben's Converted Rice.'' Brief chapters discuss fruits and vegetables, grains, meats, and dairy products. Color photos contrast the various states: one spread includes shots of an appealing ``beef cow'' in a pasture, fresh cuts of meat, and a selection of processed beef products (e.g., Knox gelatine). Not about nutrition, but a useful awareness-builder. (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: June 15, 1991
ISBN: 0-8234-0877-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1991
In this sequel to Liberty Porter, First Daughter (2009), nine-year-old Liberty continues to explore her new White House surroundings, copes with her first day at school and takes a field trip to the Smithsonian National American History Museum. Liberty’s efforts to be “nice, friendly, and welcoming to all” are frustrated by a small group of girls who want to monopolize her, and the extra attention she gets is a burden. Sprinkled with trivia about White House life, U.S. history and the museum, this will surely appeal to readers already intrigued by the lives of the current White House children. Who would not want to be part of a class invited to slide on the floors of the East Room and eat ice-cream sundaes with the president? Pooler’s grayscale illustrations break up the text every few pages, as do occasional lists and plentiful dialogue. Events from the first book are mentioned, but readers can easily start here. Those drawn in by the new-at-school story and friendship issues will stay for the fun. (Fiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: July 6, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4169-9128-1
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2010
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