Winnie at Her Best

Gr 2—4—Despite having friends who excel at spelling and acting, Winnie has no idea what her gift is in the third title (Houghton Mifflin, 2006) in Jennifer Richard Jacobson's early chapter book series. It takes her friends, a drawing contest, and a troubled kindergarten reading buddy named John Stewart to help Winnie find herself and her talent. The little boy's mother is gravely ill, and anxiety about her condition hinders him from learning to read. Winnie's fourth grade class is asked to volunteer to be reading partners to kindergartners, and sure enough, Winnie gets John Stewart, the slowest reader of all. Using unconventional methods and games, Winnie boosts John Stewart's reading skills and her own confidence. When she must make a decision to either abandon him when his mother is taken to the hospital in an ambulance or attend her prize-winning art show, she makes the choice to be a good friend and comfort the boy. These appealing characters with typical fourth grade problems are believably voiced by narrator Laura Hamilton. Listeners will identify with the realistic scenarios and root for Winnie in her quest.—Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY