Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever

June 30, 2014
After the consequences of eating an
entire box of jelly doughnuts hit home, Viorst’s iconic redheaded hero makes a big decision: “Starting this very minute,” he tells his family, “I am being the best boy ever for the complete and entire rest of my life.” In the week that follows, Saint Augustine has nothing on Alexander, who must refrain from bouncing his basketball indoors or dumping spaghetti on his brothers when they taunt him. What’s more, he astutely observes, the world isn’t exactly brimming with positive reinforcement: “Ms. Klimpt says I’m wearing her out and that she’ll give me extra credit if only I would please stop raising my hand.” Eventually, Alexander opts for the dark side, because, “the complete and entire rest of my life, I’m all of sudden thinking, is a long time.” Working in the style of Ray Cruz, Monés falls a little short of his expressiveness and comic range, and Alexander looks almost prepubescent in many pages. But Viorst’s Runyonesque ruminations on the nature of good and evil in a kid’s world are as funny as ever. Ages 4–8.

August 1, 2014
Alexander eats an entire box of doughnuts and hides the empty box in almost plain sight. Alexander, of the beloved Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good, Very Bad Day (1972), is back, and he's as clueless as ever, with grandiose plans that always seem to end in disaster. He must now face the consequences of his latest escapade. He's banned from playing video games or watching TV, and he's left out of a family outing. He hates consequences. To avoid further punishments, he announces that he will never get in trouble again and that he will be good forever. Although he keeps getting great ideas, he manages, barely, to hold on and keep his promise. Of course this cannot go on for long, and his attempts at exemplary behavior are doomed as he careens from one hilarious mess to another and finally gives in to temptation. Alexander narrates his own tale of woe in an illogical, impish and delightful stream of consciousness. Although in his case, it is more apt to be unconsciousness. Viorst totally understands how little boys think and react and keeps Alexander fresh and appealing. Mones' fine-lined, black-and-white illustrations pay homage to Ray Cruz's style from the original work, but they have their own liveliness and charm. Welcome back, Alexander. (Picture book. 4-9)

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August 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-Another winner about mischievous Alexander, who this time is trying to be the Best Boy Ever after his latest disastrous escapade: eating a whole box of doughnuts. "Consequences" follow-he has to stay in his room all day on Saturday, with no electronics or TV, and he suffers a ferocious stomachache for his greediness. After an exhausting seven days of striving mightily to be the BBE (with varying results), he wakes up on Saturday, doubting that he can continue his angelic behavior forever and succumbs to another box of doughnuts. The illustrations follow original artist Roy Cruz's art perfectly, humorously portraying Alexander's struggles with his worst self. Viorst's text is right on target as usual, hilariously describing the boy's thoughts: "I'm thinking how much I love eating jelly doughnuts. And I'm thinking how much I hate having consequences. And I'm thinking I hate those consequences much, much, much, much more than I love doughnuts." On Sunday he thinks, "Everyone's still asleep, and I'm still walking around on tiptoes. But it's lonesome....And I'm thinking that if I went out the front door and rang the doorbell five, six, seven times, no one would be sleeping anymore." Kids will surely identify with Alexander's trials and tribulations-either in a group situation or at home with a long-suffering parent, who will probably get a kick out of the book, too!-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2014
Grades K-3 Alexander, last seen in Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move (1995), returns here with a bellyache. He has eaten an entire box of donuts, earning consequences from Mom. After spending the day alone in his room, he vows to avoid future punishment by becoming the best boy ever, and predictably his plan goes awry. It's really hard to be so quiet you don't wake everyone early Sunday morning; who knew your teacher would be annoyed when you volunteered to answer every question?; and Shelly's Music Shack might never be the same after you finish jumping around. Viorst's rumpled hero is more loquacious this time around, with his disgruntled point of view replaced by a slight awareness of how his actions affect others. Mon's' crosshatch drawings (in the style of original illustrator Ray Cruz) feature a full-color halo-wearing Alexander and plenty of humor. Series fans will be relieved Alexander doesn't achieve total perfection here, leaving room, hopefully, for more adventures.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)