(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Starting with (accidentally) killing his class's pet fish, EllRay Jakes suffers repeated embarrassments at school and worries about his classmates' reactions. Just as in the first two books, the protagonist's voice isn't convincing as a third-grader, but the situations are relatable. Issues of race are touched on lightly. Occasional changes in font, along with the black-and-white spot illustrations, further lighten the story's tone.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. The star of EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken! tries to become more popular at school by giving away his geologist father's crystals. When his plan backfires, EllRay must dig his own way out of a hole. The third-grader's narrative voice isn't believable (he sounds much older), but fans of the first book will appreciate his inventiveness. Black-and-white spot art appears throughout.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. EllRay gets to go to Disneyland if he can behave at school. It's tough not to fight back, though, when you're being picked on. The Jakes family is African American, and issues of racial prejudice are very vaguely touched on. EllRay's narration sounds older than a third grader, but readers may find him relatable nonetheless. Black-and-white spot art reflects the characters' emotions.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Emma is horrified to learn that her mother is dating. She tells a lie hoping to keep her mother away from the new man, but slowly and realistically Emma warms up to this change. Emma is a likable heroine, and readers will find it easy to empathize with her woes. The black-and-white illustrations help break up the text in this book for older chapter book readers.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. In her fifth story, third grader Emma wants to impress her long-distance, divorced father. She hopes winning a prize during Winter Games Day will do the trick. But the pressure of competition is getting to all the kids, even temporarily coming between Emma and her best friend. Breezy black-and-white illustrations keep the book light as the text deals with its weighty issues.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. When a new girl arrives in third grade, Emma is determined to claim her as a best friend before archrival Cynthia does. This campaign threatens to alienate Emma's real best friend. In her fourth book about the dynamic Emma, Warner presents a realistic depiction of elementary school rivalries. Harper's hip illustrations help keep things light.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Emma jumps in to defend classmate EllRay from a bully, but her bravery backfires because EllRay is embarrassed by Emma's actions. This third book about Emma tells a strong, immediate story about the intricacies of third-grade classroom dynamics. Emma is a likable heroine, and Harper's sketchy illustrations make the book approachable.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jamie Harper. Eight-year-old Emma, an only child, has a lot to adjust to when she and her single mother invite Anthony, four, to live with them temporarily. Emma's self-centeredness and insecurities ring true, and her reaction to a new child in the house is realistic. The breezy, easy-to-read novel is heavily illustrated with line drawings, which humorously exaggerate the story's broad emotions.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth