(2) 1-3 Franklin School Friends series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. This fifth entry in the series focuses on third grader Cody, who loves animals as passionately as he hates school. Cody's troubles--with homework, with best friend Tobit, and with a scheme to get all his animals into the school's first-ever pet show--are presented sympathetically by Mills, who portrays elementary-school friendship drama with a skillful hand. The lighthearted illustrations help readers envision the story.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(2) 1-3 Franklin School Friends series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. This third installment focuses on Izzy Barr, the fastest runner in the third grade--until classmate Skipper beats her. Izzy desperately wants to beat her rival, first at school field day and then at the citywide 10K. Mills presents and resolves problems in a winning story; Shepperson's depiction of Izzy as African American adds welcome diversity to this group of friends.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(3) 1-3 Franklin School Friends series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. Third grader Simon's tendency to win everything is getting on his best friend Jackson's nerves. And the tension increases when they wind up on the same team for the spelling bee. In this fourth installment, Mills once again deftly promotes teamwork and the celebration of everyone's unique skills in a story that feels genuine rather than didactic. Shepperson's halftone illustrations capture key moments.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(2) 1-3 Franklin School Friends series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. If Annika Riz is going to win the citywide sudoku contest, she'll have to out-sudoku third-grade classmate Simon (from Kelsey Green, Reading Queen). The school carnival is also coming up, and friends Annika, Kelsey, and Izzy fail (three times) at baking cookies for it. Mills has her characters struggle with right and wrong behavior, as Annika accepts that simply trying can be worthwhile.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(2) 1-3 Franklin School Friends series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. Kelsey might be the reading queen of her third-grade class, but her throne is threatened when the principal announces a school-wide reading challenge. First in a new series, the chapter book explores Mills's favorite subject--everyday life with a side of ethical examination--to good effect as Kelsey discovers the difference between loving to read and loving to win.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2013