INTERMEDIATE FICTION
Murphy, Sally

Toppling

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Rhian Nest James. Fifth-grader John collects dominoes and enjoys toppling his tile arrangements. When his best friend Dom gets cancer, John is afraid that more than dominoes will topple in his life. But how can John and his school friends help Dom? Murphy's free verse is lackluster, and the subplots are uninspired; but soft pen-and-watercolor illustrations complement the mood, and the uncertain yet hopeful ending feels realistic.

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