Biz Whiz

Gr 1–3—Greenwald introduces readers to Flossie, a girl with moxie hoping to conquer the world one business enterprise at a time. Things haven't gone well in the past, but that doesn't deter Flossie. When her teacher announces that the class is going to raise money for gardening supplies, Flossie is ready to lead the way. Unfortunately, owing to previous less than successful experiences, none of her classmates want to put up with her bossiness. Flossie eventually convinces the new boy in class to join her team. Through a series of misadventures, Flossie finally realizes that she needs to listen to others and work together. This chapter book could be useful as a classroom read-aloud for those trying to teach concepts of collaboration and group dynamics. Flossie is a smart protagonist with a lot of gusto. Illustrations in black, white, and green enhance the text, and simple recipes are also included.