President of the Whole Fifth Grade

December 1, 2010

Gr 4-5-Brianna Justice is good at setting goals and knows what she wants for her future: to become fifth-grade class president and eventually be rich and famous with her own cupcake business and cooking show. She's sure the former is the path to the latter and has been planning her election strategy all summer. When unscrupulous newcomer Jasmine runs against her, the competition takes an ugly turn with both girls trying underhand tricks in order to win. The story begins to resemble a Mean Girls of elementary school as Brianna makes one bad decision after another, turning into a rather unlikable character and nearly losing her friends in the process. She learns from her mistakes, however, and is able to turn both her friendships and the election around. The story will resonate with preteens navigating the ups, downs, and drama that come with the territory of many young girls' friendships.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2010
Grades 3-6 The author of The Kayla Chronicles (2008) returns with this sweet confection for middle-graders. Brianna Justice plans to be a millionaire when she grows up, just like her hero, celebrity chef Miss Delicious. When Miss Delicious credits her rise to the top to the experience she gained as fifth-grade president, Brianna knows what she must do. With the support of her best friends, Brianna strategizes her worldwide domination, starting with a successful run for president of her own fifth-grade class. But unexpected and underhanded competition from new girl Jasmine Moon threatens not only to ruin Briannas ambitions but to knock Briannas moral compass out of whack as she loses sight of herself and her purpose in a win-at-all-costs race. Although Jasmines villainy seems over the top and Briannas peeps turn on her unconvincingly, Briannas struggle to run a clean campaign is believable and entertaining. Cupcake recipes and a fair amount of U.S. history are worked into the book, which will be a hit with readers who like Wendy Mass and Lauren Myracle.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)