(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. Wren's reluctance to tell her classmates about her parents' divorce leads to lie after lie, and her deception complicates new and old friendships. Nine-year-old Wren's juvenile understanding and frequent questions, along with her parents' realistic and palatably mild imperfections, make this quiet, often funny story an accessible look at divorce for early-middle-grade readers. Simple black-and-white spot art introduces each chapter.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. The latest installments find "unfortunately average" sixth grader Vicka joining the softball team, despite a lack of talent (Curveball), and helping organize a Wild West–themed school dance, adding an element of prospective romance to the story arc (Dance). The series is run-of-the-mill, but, as ever, Vicka makes up in creativity and warmth what she perceives she lacks in brilliance or distinction. Activities appended. Glos. Review covers these Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: Curveball and Dance Fever.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. Sixth grader Victoria Torres's aspirations and her reality don't usually align. In these volumes, she's cast as Friar Laurence, not Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet (Drama); and she refuses to engage in dirty politics during class elections and might have to accept a lesser office (President). Believable ethical situations and a thoughtful heroine add appeal to otherwise pat middle-school fare. Activities appended. Glos. Review covers the following Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: So Much Drama and Vicka for President.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. Sixth grader Victoria Torres's aspirations and her reality don't usually align. In these volumes, she's cast as Friar Laurence, not Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet (Drama); and she refuses to engage in dirty politics during class elections and might have to accept a lesser office (President). Believable ethical situations and a thoughtful heroine add appeal to otherwise pat middle-school fare. Activities appended. Glos. Review covers the following Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: So Much Drama and Vicka for President.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. These first installments each, as the series title suggests, focus on a sixth-grade girl whose unremarkable-ness in various arenas of middle school (from math to cheerleading to music) serves as a source of tension. In each case, Victoria predictably discovers that she can stand out in other ways--by being a good friend, for example. Unremarkable but relatable middle-school fare. Review covers these Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: Birthday Glamour, Face the Music, Formula for Friends, and Pompom Problems.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. These first installments each, as the series title suggests, focus on a sixth-grade girl whose unremarkable-ness in various arenas of middle school (from math to cheerleading to music) serves as a source of tension. In each case, Victoria predictably discovers that she can stand out in other ways--by being a good friend, for example. Unremarkable but relatable middle-school fare. Review covers these Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: Birthday Glamour, Face the Music, Formula for Friends, and Pompom Problems.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. These first installments each, as the series title suggests, focus on a sixth-grade girl whose unremarkable-ness in various arenas of middle school (from math to cheerleading to music) serves as a source of tension. In each case, Victoria predictably discovers that she can stand out in other ways--by being a good friend, for example. Unremarkable but relatable middle-school fare. Review covers these Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: Birthday Glamour, Face the Music, Formula for Friends, and Pompom Problems.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. These first installments each, as the series title suggests, focus on a sixth-grade girl whose unremarkable-ness in various arenas of middle school (from math to cheerleading to music) serves as a source of tension. In each case, Victoria predictably discovers that she can stand out in other ways--by being a good friend, for example. Unremarkable but relatable middle-school fare. Review covers these Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: Birthday Glamour, Face the Music, Formula for Friends, and Pompom Problems.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl