Rating: Very Good
Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $16.00
ISBN: 9780618959570
Age/Grade Level: Grades 2-5
Like the prior books in the "Just Grace" series, Just Grace Goes Green presents a fun and spunky narrator, "Just" Grace, who encounters small, child-friendly conflicts (like a favorite stuffed animal being "borrowed" for too long) and quickly solves them with the help of her supportive friends and family. In this installment, Grace's class is learning about "going green", so the story contains tips and ideas for how children can help the environment. The ideas are well placed and match the plot without seeming didactic. The subplot of a visit from her best friend's cousin is also sweet and of course ends well. Interspersed with lists and drawings, this is an excellent choice for readers who are new to chapter books. The format is easy to follow and fun, even if you haven't read the previous titles. Though Grace gets in less trouble than her spunky-girl-character cohorts, this is also recommended for fans of Ivy and Bean, Clementine, and Junie B. Jones.
Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch
