GET READY FOR SECOND GRADE, AMBER BROWN

First- and second-grade teachers (and their students) will be especially interested in this laugh-out-loud, first-person story of Amber’s first days in second grade. Ross continues his significant contribution to the A Is for Amber easy reader series with his expressive watercolor-and-ink illustrations that always set a cheerful, humorous tone. Danziger (It’s a Fair Day, Amber Brown, below, etc.), with her pitch-perfect view of a child’s emotions, zeroes in on all the anxieties of a new school year: an unknown new teacher, uncertainty about friends, a snotty queen bee, and a teddy bear backpack that invites teasing comments. Amber’s new teacher is a delight: Ms. Light, a denim-clad, hip lady with light-up lightbulb earrings and lots of information about light and electricity. (Move over, Ms. Frizzle!) The members of the second-grade class are introduced with Danziger’s deadpan, punny humor: Freddie, who can do armpit music; Fredrich, who picks his nose; and Hannah, who clearly has her claws out for Amber. Before long, Amber stands up to Hannah Burton (“Look, Hannah BURPton. Stop it”) and, in a satisfying conclusion, vows with confidence that she’ll be reading chapter books before long because she is indeed ready for second grade. The stage is set for more tales about Ms. Light’s Bright Lights, and Amber’s adoring fans will be ready for more second-grade fun. (Easy reader. 5-9)