(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. In this installment, both sets of grandparents are visiting for Thanksgiving, Lola has agreed to dog sit, and she's completely ignoring the giant knot in her hair. Loose, cartoonish illustrations provide visual breaks and clues for new chapter-book readers, who will enjoy exuberant, impulsive Lola's humorous narration, her desire to be a big kid, and her mistakes despite good intentions.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Lola reluctantly agrees to dress up as the third Cupcake Queen for Halloween with Jessie and Amanda, much to her friend Savannah's disappointment. Meanwhile, Lola gets the lead in the class play and is struck with stage fright. While this third book's language is as cutesy as ever, readers will relate to Lola's feelings of wanting to fit in. Emotive black-and-white illustrations appear throughout.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 4-6 Jasmine and Maddie are both keeping secrets about their circumstances: Jasmine lives in a trailer park with her mother, and Maddie is wealthy but desperately lonely. When Jasmine betrays Maddie's trust, both girls are forced to face reality. Allowing each girl to narrate in turn, Pakkala weaves a powerful story about fulfilling and defying expectations.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Lola's best friend, Amanda, has been spending more time with Jessie and Savannah than with her, and Lola's jealousy leads to some bad behavior. Eventually, she learns that saying you're sorry--and showing it--yields better results than being a "rotten tomato." Although the lesson in this second book is a little heavy-handed, readers will relate to Lola's feelings. Black-and-white illustrations appear throughout.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. In this humorous chapter book, second grader Lola wants to beat ex-best-friend Amanda in the Going Green contest. After the class votes Lola's compost idea the winner and the project begins, Lola realizes that winning isn't the same without her friend. The story includes useful going-green tips, but treacly language (with frequent mention of candy) is distracting. Simple black-and-white pen drawings appear throughout.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner