(3) 1-3 Bossy Flossie series. Illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby. While Flossie's heart is in the right place, her entrepreneurial ideas and strong opinions get her a reputation as "bossy." Flossie recruits new kid Billy to help her raise money for their third-grade class garden and gains a friend when she gives up her controlling ways (Biz Whiz); Flossie learns about teamwork during a holiday charity drive (Success). Green-tinged illustrations highlight the realistic grade-school dramas at play. Review covers these titles: Biz Whiz and The Secret to Success.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Bossy Flossie series. Illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby. While Flossie's heart is in the right place, her entrepreneurial ideas and strong opinions get her a reputation as "bossy." Flossie recruits new kid Billy to help her raise money for their third-grade class garden and gains a friend when she gives up her controlling ways (Biz Whiz); Flossie learns about teamwork during a holiday charity drive (Success). Green-tinged illustrations highlight the realistic grade-school dramas at play. Review covers these titles: Biz Whiz and The Secret to Success.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 When Rosy Cole enthusiastically suggests and captains the "Nature's Gifts" booth for her school's eco-fair, it somehow leads to secretly stashing composting worms for her crush, Donald. Just as her impending success is about to blow up in her face, it all works out for the green best in this tale that's topical but slightly scattered, much like Rosy herself.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(2) 4-6 Quintessential New Yorker Rosy Cole can't wait to show visiting cousin Duncan her city's best sights. But Duncan demonstrates that he has a mind of his own as Rosy's excursions become detoured again and again. Rosy's frequently exasperated narration provides a pretty comprehensive picture of Manhattan's high points; Duncan's diversions--to subway musicians, a snowball fight in Central Park--give the city and the story soul.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2003

(3) 4-6 Stuck in a tiny apartment, Emerald dreams of the day her actor parents will make it. Instead of writing an essay for the citywide My New York contest, the fourth grader decides to make a shoebox model of her apartment--and discovers she likes her New York and her neighbors. With convincing characters, Greenwald tells a different kind of new-kid-on-the-block story.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman