(4) K-3 Illustrated by Penny Weber. New student Roberta is bounced from social group to social group whenever it's discovered that one of her traits (her hairstyle, her love of playgrounds) diverges from the clique's. Readers will register Moss's sober critique of conformity as they cheer Roberta's self-awareness. Weber's art isn't polished, but she has a knack for capturing Roberta's reactions.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alissa Imre Geis. Narrator Alexandra betrays her best friend to impress a cool new girl. The text, cowritten by a ninth grader, reads something like a conflict-resolution script, but readers will respond to its emotional frankness. Hip collage illustrations include Alexandra's ostensible drawings ("This is what Jenny Martin looks like when she is hurt"), depicting a layered, intimate portrait of a friendship.

Reviewer: Nell Beram