Boss No More

K-Gr 2—Lucas tries to manipulate his schoolmates into doing what he wants. He makes fun of a heavy-set boy, and many join him. When Nina makes a soccer goal, he denigrates her accomplishment with "She got lucky, that's all." He discredits Alex's success in math and even decides what games the kids will play at recess. But not everyone is willing to give in to his wishes, and the children begin to enjoy their games without him. When Jeanne warns, "Keep it up, and you will have no friends…." Lucas begins to have second thoughts. A conversation with his mom helps him understand why his behavior is inappropriate, and the next day, he arrives at school with complimentary drawings for everyone. The cartoon illustrations, executed in watercolor and pencil, are varied, with both large scenes and vignettes depicting a racially mixed group of children engaged in classroom and outdoor activities. This well-meaning attempt to help children understand how to interact positively with one another feels contrived and didactic, and Lucas's swift and complete conversion stretches credulity. The excellent endnotes by a school psychologist would be helpful for adults, but youngsters would be better served by Patty Lovell's Stand Tall, Molly Lou Mellon (Putnam, 2001), and Bob Staake's subtle Bluebird (Random, 2013) would be a fine discussion-starter for slightly older readers.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT