(4) 4-6 Fifth grader Oliver is obsessed with Tito the Bonecrusher, a former lucha libre wrestler turned action-movie star. When Oliver's father is jailed for tax fraud, he seeks the celebrity's help to break his dad out of prison. Some readers may balk at the naiveté of Oliver's plan and the coincidental plot threads, but Oliver's confusion, anger, and desperation are treated with compassion and authenticity.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Frank Morrison. Second-grader Keena keeps a detailed journal and, as Harriet the Spy could have told her, that can cause friend problems. After Tiffany gets her mitts on the book, she blackmails Keena into playing princess games or facing exposure. Thompson captures the day-to-day minutiae of school life, and Keena, along with her divorced-but-civil parents and gruffly supportive brother, is likable.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Frank Morrison. In her second book, precocious second grader Keena Ford runs for student council, lops off her own braid (by mistake), and visits the U.S. Capitol--where she knocks a congressman down a staircase. Through it all, she documents her adventures in her journal. Young readers may find Keena's frequent digressions hard to follow, but Morrison's lively black-and-white drawings highlight Keena's mischief-making with flair.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Frank Morrison. African American second grader Keena joins the likes of Clementine, Ramona, and Junie B. Jones. Well-meaning but impetuous, she learns about jealousy, friendship, and telling the truth after her new teacher thinks it's Keena's birthday. Readers will be able to imagine themselves in Keena's uncomfortable position. Warm black-and-white illustrations show her interactions at school and with her separated parents.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith

(4) YA Overview series. Solid surveys of teen prostitution and teen violence in the United States examine the scope of the problems, many of the causes, and various programs to help troubled teens. Cartoons, sociological studies, statistics, and occasionally the words of teens themselves, help address the issues surrounding these destructive behaviors. Both volumes include black-and-white photos and charts, but are unappealing in design. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.