The William Problem: 9

Third grade means dramatic changes in Liza's life as she is forced to sit next to William Spear, the biggest creep in her school, and becomes torn between her old friends and her new pal, Bridget.

Grade 3-4-Third grader Liza Farmer feels that her life is falling apart. She has the meanest teacher in the whole school; her best friend is in another class and has become unfriendly; and if that's not enough, her new pal wants to befriend the weirdest boy on the planet. The plot is realistic and touches on universal problems of this age group. The writing is smooth and flows logically. Black-and-white illustrations-one per chapter-help readers visualize this predictable yet entertaining sequel to Third Grade Is Terrible (Dutton, 1989).
Lesley McKinstry, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 2-3. In this beginning chapter book, Liza Farmer finds herself in for a bad third-grade year. Her best friend, Heather, is getting too chummy with another girl; a new kid, Bridget, seems nice but may be too odd for the rest of the girls; and William Spear, the nerdiest kid in the third grade, is insinuating himself in Liza's life. Baker's short sentences and familiar situations should appeal to new readers, but none of the plot lines are satisfactorily tied up, and the whole ending seems rushed. The terrific dust jacket featuring Liza's mean old teacher glowering over her and William is a draw, but this is primarily for collections where beginning chapter books circulate widely. Ilene Cooper