Best Enemies

From Publishers Weekly In the first of these chapter books, a new girl at school finds herself saddled with a snaky nemesis who wants to bond. "There's not a drop of false sentiment in these pages, just plain, old-fashioned fun. A real winner," said PW. A follow-up story again features Felicity, whom PW called "the character beginning readers love to hate." Ages 7-up. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal Grade 1-4-- First-grader Priscilla Robin must deal with Felicity Doll, a brash classmate who by the end of the first week has tricked Priscilla out of her desk, pencil case, lunchbox, and self-respect. As the year wears on so do the inflicted indignities, but with some help from a school-wise older sister, Priscilla survives. In the end Priscilla concludes that although she and Felicity are never destined for friendship, perhaps they can be best enemies. The plot's premise is initially inviting, but the book is marred by stylistic and structural weaknesses. The ages of the characters would indicate that the book is intended for novice readers, yet its overall length, length of chapters (over ten pages), print size, and vocabulary are more appropriate for third or fourth graders. Stylistically, the endless succession of short subject-predicate sentences, especially at the start, stilt the story's flow. The children's dialogue doesn't ring true--they answer "Very well" to questions or announce "I must leave." Most puzzling is why Priscilla would encourage any relationship, even a hostile one, with the thoroughly unlikable Felicity, who rebuffs her every attempt at peacemaking. There is also no revelation scene in which Priscilla finds out possible reasons for Felicity's rude behavior. Lamb's illustrations are an appealing blend of sarcasm and whimsy, but otherwise Best Enemies, with its conflict between reading level and interest level, may be left without an audience.