THE ONE AND ONLY STUEY LEWIS

Stuey Lewis is filled with angst about reading, Halloween, soccer and one annoying classmate in this big-hearted tale of second grade.

Stuey is a regular second grader. That means he worries about everything. Stuey’s dad no longer lives with them, brother Anthony is a soccer prodigy and a bossy classmate keeps him on edge. These anxieties formed the core of linked short stories, told by Stuey himself, which chronicle the changes his second-grade year brings. Stuey’s best friend Will is a “reading monster,” which makes Stuey feel bad that he is not yet ready to plow through a pile of chapter books. He keeps waiting for the reading light to turn on, but it isn’t happening fast enough. How can Stuey possibly measure up to Anthony if he goes out for "bitty league soccer"? It's even worse when he realizes the awful Lilly is on his team! Natural dialogue and believable school situations capture the drama of second grade, gently showing readers that things will get better. Occasional black-and-white illustrations add another humorous touch that new readers will appreciate. By the time the year is over, Stuey is no longer feigning illness to get out of school and is even looking forward to another year with beloved teacher Ms. Curtis, who is moving up with this winning class.

Stuey’s fans will be crossing their fingers for a sequel. (Fiction. 6-9)