Number One Kid

November 8, 2010
This spirited if choppy novel marks the debut of Giff's Zigzag Kids series starring students in an after-school program. New to the Zelda A. Zigzag School, Mitchell wears his "I'm #1" T-shirt yet fears that others think he's a loser. He's apprehensive about attending the Afternoon Center and—rather implausibly—dons a mask he finds on the floor hoping no one will recognize him. As he participates in such activities as singing, swimming, and visiting a nature center, Mitchell becomes increasingly worried that he isn't good at anything and won't win an award on prize day. The humor can be strained: after misplacing the mask, Mitchell "hoped it wasn't on the floor. It would look as if a cow had run over it." Yet Giff (the Kids of the Polk Street School books) persuasively portrays Mitchell's anxieties and his rapport with his peers and with his sister, who surprises him by announcing that she's also afraid of being passed over on prize day ("He thought she was good at everything"). It's a slight story—but one with heart. Also available: Big Whopper. Ages 6–9.

July 15, 2010
This debut title in Giff's Zigzag Kids series introduces a large cast of characters who gather at the Afternoon Center of Zelda A. Zigzag School. Written with quick sentences, short paragraphs and brief injections of dialogue, the story moves rapidly and is enhanced by Bright's periodic illustrations. (His portraits of the main players at the beginning of the book also provide a helpful reference.) Anxious new kid Mitchell's first days at the elementary school are the focus of this first volume. Even though he wears the I'm Number One T-shirt that Nana gave him, he struggles to make friends and show big sister Angel he can take care of himself. As the week progresses, Mitchell gets caught up in antics at the center and worries if he will ever fit in or be good at anything. But Prize Day brings a medal for writing, the admiration of his sister and the discovery of new friend Habib. New chapter-book readers will easily relate to the various troubles and anticipations of this diverse crew. Sequel Big Whopper publishes simultaneously (ISBN: 978-0-385-74688-5; PLB: 978-0-385-90926-6; paper: 978-0-553-49469-3). (Fiction. 6-9)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

August 1, 2010

Gr 2-4-This series kicks off with a spunky introduction to the students at Zelda A. Zigzag School. Mitchell and his sister, Angel, are the new kids. He's not too sure about some of his schoolmates or the Afternoon Center that they attend, but he's sure about one thing: he wants to win a medal on prize day. Mitchell goes on nature walks, swims, paints, and gets homework help at the center, and worries that he may not be Number One at any activity. On prize day, however, he gets a big surprise. In Big Whopper, the Afternoon Center kids set out to list all of their discoveries. Everyone can think of at least something with the exception of Destiny, who, in desperation, makes up a "discovery" about a famous ancestor. Soon, she is in over her head, trying to find her way out of her big whopper of a lie. When Destiny comes clean, she finds out that she is good at making discoveries after all. Readers new to chapter books will love these quick-paced, fun stories. Spot illustrations and a generous font size add to their approachability. It won't take long for the kids of Zelda A. Zigzag School to become favorites.-Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2011
A group of kids loves the afterschool activities--and friendship opportunities--offered by the Zigzag Afternoon Center. In Number One, Mitchell worries he's not special, then discovers he is great at writing. In Whopper, Destiny tells a lie (she's descended from President "Abrehem Washington") to impress her friend. Readers not put off by the didactic content will enjoy the unique setting and engaging characters.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)