(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Isaac Millman. After mistakenly receiving a letter from the IRS demanding the payment of $112.15, nine-year-old Howie worries about the possibility of going to jail and even attempts to take out a bank loan to pay Uncle Sam. Treated with both humor and sympathy, Howie's misguided assumptions are at once amusing and believable. Expressive line drawings accompany each brief chapter.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Isaac Millman. Nervous about being the new kid in third grade, Howie adopts the persona of Secret Agent Bean Burger and begins investigating crimes. He solves a case and wins admirers but soon finds he's more at ease as himself. Amiable illustrations accompany the short chapters of this light, readable story, which nimbly traces Howie's worries as well as the hopeful beginnings of new friendships.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1999