(4) 4-6 Christmas is coming, and Mary Margaret is trying to be good. True to her nature, though, she finds herself in trouble when her competitiveness makes her stretch the truth at school. After being accused of theft, she must clear her name. Mary Margaret's self-absorption is a little more grating here than in previous books.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 When Mary Margaret and her family spend a week at a dude ranch, she assumes she'll quickly learn to ride. But her horse turns out to be stubborn and her riding instructor thinks Mary Margaret is a spoiled city kid. Mary Margaret's fans will appreciate how her irrepressible nature and determination once again lead her into (and out of) humorous predicaments.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) YA Eighteen-year-old Grace's strict Christian father maintains a chokehold on her life. When his actions threaten her secret relationship with Michael, a (rather snobby) professor in his twenties, Grace rebels by getting engaged. Soon overwhelmed, she realizes that she's left one controlling relationship for another. Sympathetic, multifaceted characters allow the plot to rise above its After-School-Special dimensions.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) K-3 Illustrated by C. B. Decker. While playing beauty parlor with his little sister before Uncle Kevin's wedding, Jackson makes a b ig mistake. Even though he points out mistakes others have made in the past, Mom is furious. MacLean creates suspense by waiting to reveal what Jackson did: he used permanent markers and gum on his sister. Lively illustrations give the humor extra punch.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Mary Margaret wants a cuddly, furry pet more than anything, but her mother can only think about her pregnancy, her father is allergic to dander, and her brother has his own teen problems. The situation looks hopeless, but Mary Margaret is not one to give up. She's an energetic, resourceful heroine, and her efforts to get a better pet than ants or a turtle prove hilarious.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Reed. When he's pretending to be a firefighter, a police officer, an EMT, a garbage collector, or another worker committed to serving his community, a young boy is too busy to hug his mom. Children will respond to the titular refrain and to the satisfying conclusion, in which the hard-driving little boy shows his soft side. The warm illustrations play a pivotal role in bringing the boy's active imagination to life.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin