Lucy Rose: Working Myself to Pieces and Bits

From School Library Journal Grade 3–5—The fourth book in Kelly's diary-format series follows the intrepid Lucy Rose from Christmas vacation through the end of fourth grade. The child tries to figure out how to deal with a bully while also putting considerable time and thought into ways to help family friends realize their dream of opening a bakery. Readers new to the series might have trouble figuring out Lucy Rose's complicated network of extended family and friends, although the plot is strong enough to shine through a little confusion. Kelly's use of diction and phrasing usually results in a voice that sounds authentic, but sometimes she gets bogged down in unnecessary words. That said, her exploration of life in a family in which a parent manages to maintain a meaningful relationship with a daughter who lives in another state is unique, and Kelly gives a more nuanced and realistic picture of bullies than one normally sees in fiction for this audience.—