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What a mess! And we're not just talking about the wad of bubble gum Sarah manages to stow in her hair one night while sleeping. There's also the matter of the basketball team, where her budding stardom is quickly doused by the realization that no one on her all-boy team realizes she's a girl, including the coach! And then there's the mystery of her new friend Olivia from Trinidad, who turns s... More

What a mess! And we're not just talking about the wad of bubble gum Sarah manages to stow in her hair one night while sleeping. There's also the matter of the basketball team, where her budding stardom is quickly doused by the realization that no one on her all-boy team realizes she's a girl, including the coach! And then there's the mystery of her new friend Olivia from Trinidad, who turns strangely moody when she's questioned too closely on certain subjects, such as why Sarah and their friend Christina aren't allowed to see Olivia's legs. Christina, meanwhile, is being forced to play the part of a Mexican in the school pageant, even though she comes from El Salvador (her teacher doesn't see the difference). Through it all, Sarah ponders the wisdom offered by her mother about life being like a party with an invitation that says "Come as you are." Is it better to give people the naked truth?

Elisa Carbone brings back the hilarious heroine of Starting School with an Enemy for this rollicking, yet matter-of-factly sensitive story. Ethnically diverse characters populate the pages, with easy-to-swallow messages about honesty, respect, and tolerance for imperfection. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

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