(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Nneka Bennett. When André makes the third-grade honor roll, his lunch-lady mom breaks her promise to him because she can't afford to suddenly "drop everything and throw a royal party." André's family's resourcefulness gives him strength to hang on until Friday, when Mama gets paid and a real (versus imaginary) celebration is possible. Playful dialogue and unfussy watercolors nicely convey the unconditional love sustaining this family.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Sprightly rhyming verse describes the myriad choices a pet show offers a boy trying to pick out a pet: "Sleek pets / Slick pets / Do-amazing-tricks pets....Tiny pets / Shiny pets / Prickly-and-spiny pets." Lighthearted mixed-media pictures reveal a fanciful array of pets including salamanders in tutus, pet rocks, and a nice twist, a plaid-pant-wearing cat that chooses to go home with the boy.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.