(4) K-3 Illustrated by Meredith Johnson. Milo is sick of hearing his older sister talk about her teacher. When the beloved Mrs. Bell comes over for breakfast, Milo doesn't mean to feed his dog her flapjack breakfast--really!--but he comes up with a quick solution to the food problem. The humor is very broad and slapstick, especially in the illustrations, but it's well targeted to its primary grade new readers.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Meredith Johnson. When ten-year-old JoJo gets a special doll, her six-year-old sister Winnie wants the very same one; when Winnie learns to swim better than JoJo, JoJo decides to give up swimming. Using warmth and humor, these delightful tales show sisterhood's trials and tribulations, as well as its joys and rewards. Expressive black-and-white drawings accompany the text.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Meredith Johnson. At first, JoJo looks forward to having a new little sister, but by the time Winnie becomes a preschooler, JoJo is less sure. Not only does Winnie embarrass her, but she wants to play with her constantly. Although their antics don't reach the level of Ramona and Beezus, these sister stories ring true and are full of fun. Amusing sketches illustrate the chapter book.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meredith Johnson. When Jennifer learns that classmate Sara has a brain tumor, she vows to be nicer to her "worst friend," only to discover that the acerbic Sara needs her taunts and teasing far more than her sympathy. Realistically humorous illustrations accompany a story notable both for its dead-on middle-grade dialogue as well as for its unsentimental look at a serious subject.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne