The plot rolls along smoothly and readers will be able to both follow the action and feel superior to both main characters as their motivations and misconceptions are clearly displayed. Rivalry and misunderstandings grow as the two compete to earn the most money in the waning days of summer. Evan believes himself to be less than clever Jessie’s emotional maturity doesn’t quite measure up to her intelligence. But the news that bright Jessie will be skipping a grade to join Evan’s fourth-grade class creates tension. Jessie and Evan are usually good friends as well as sister and brother. Unfortunately, the length makes it less likely to appeal to the intended audience. Told from the point of view of two warring siblings, this could have been an engaging first chapter book. Still, with its cartoon illustrations, well-leaded text and general goofiness, this retread is as likely to draw transitional readers as the perennial favorite Flat Stanley (1964) and its sequels. Lambchop replies, “But things often happen without there seeming to be a reason, and then something else happens, and suddenly the first thing seems to have had a purpose after all.” Perhaps-even if that purpose is just to tread water, as Brown does here. Alluding to previous episodes, Stanley complains, “Why me? Why am I always getting flat, or invisible, or something?” Mr. First he becomes a human spinnaker in a sailboat race, then he worms his way through the wreckage of a collapsed building to rescue ever-rude classmate Emma Weeks. Dan-Stanley Lambchop gets two more chances to play the hero before popping back into shape. Flattened once more, this time not by a falling bulletin board but a double blow to his elusive “Osteal Balance Point”-or so says family GP Dr.
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