THE SOS FILE

Mr. Margo gives his class the opportunity to earn extra credit by writing a personal essay for the “SOS File.” Twelve students submit essays, and Mr. Margo tells them eleven will get extra credit. Wondering who didn’t get the promised credit, they each read their stories about times when they would have liked to have put out an S.O.S. One student met a bear; another swam with sharks; one lost his favorite hat; and another was left in a Dumpster as a baby. But who’s not getting credit? The mother and daughters trio behind My Dog, My Hero (2000) are back with a more creative conceit to tie stories together. Though some of the children don’t always sound like children, this collection will be a hit with its target audience and is perfect for encouraging reluctant readers. Howard’s illustrations are spot-on funny and frightening as usual. An excellent package. (Fiction. 7-11)