The Horn Book Guide

YOUNGER FICTION

Krensky, Stephen

Francine, Believe It or Not

58 pp. | Little | April, 1999 | Trade ISBN 0-316-12011-1 $$12.95 | Paper ISBN 0-316-12258-0 $$3.95

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. In her second book, Louise decides she's too predictable, but when superficial changes (hairstyle, clothes) backfire, she learns that the best changes start from within. While the message is sound, the climactic talent-show performance doesn't successfully demonstrate it but rather relies on didactic exposition to prove the point. The writing, however, is snappy and humorous, as are Natti's black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth