(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. For nine-year-old Abby, summer is all about taking care of her very first, very own horse. She isn't entirely prepared for the amount of work and responsibility involved, nor for the puzzling and disappointing reaction her best friend has when she meets the animal. Though the dialogue doesn't always ring true, the story line is convincing. Sketchlike illustrations enliven the tale.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Cynthia Fisher. Randall (The Hero of Third Grade) is facing his first summer in Rushport, and there's nothing to do. He and his friend Max decide to start a chess club in the park, despite crabby old "Birdman's" interference. A missing parrot subplot muddles the story, and the book never quite takes flight. Black-and-white illustrations are well placed but static. Bib.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Cynthia Fisher. As a new student joining a class in the middle of third grade, Randall needs a way to make friends. He begins sending secret notes and signing them with a rose--a trick he learned by watching the hero in the movie of The Scarlet Pimpernel. While the exposition is frequently labored, much of this school story, illustrated with black-and-white art, rings true.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth