Biz Whiz #1

July 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-Greenwald introduces readers to Flossie, a girl with moxie hoping to conquer the world one business enterprise at a time. Things haven't gone well in the past, but that doesn't deter Flossie. When her teacher announces that the class is going to raise money for gardening supplies, Flossie is ready to lead the way. Unfortunately, owing to previous less than successful experiences, none of her classmates want to put up with her bossiness. Flossie eventually convinces the new boy in class to join her team. Through a series of misadventures, Flossie finally realizes that she needs to listen to others and work together. This chapter book could be useful as a classroom read-aloud for those trying to teach concepts of collaboration and group dynamics. Flossie is a smart protagonist with a lot of gusto. Illustrations in black, white, and green enhance the text, and simple recipes are also included. VERDICT Strong-willed Flossie has the potential to be a character whom kids will want to get to know-especially those with a head for business.-John Scott, Friends School of Baltimore

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2017
Third-grader Flossie is not among the favorites of her classmates.They find her overbearing and rather bossy. When the class learns that they need to raise money in order to fund a new garden, Flossie has--as always--lots of ideas. In fact, every time she gets one of these great (from her point of view) plans, she begins "to tingle and glow from head to toe." Since her ideas have a track record of, well, failure, no one really wants to team up with her. That lot falls to hapless Billy, the new boy, who happens to live in her building. Flossie decides they should sell produce grown on Billy's family farm--not a success. The next plan is to cater a classmate's birthday party and provide a magic show. The pet rat Flossie brings along finishes that scheme off disastrously. Flossie is discouraged, but Billy helps her come up with a workable scheme. The happiest news, however, is that he's now her friend. Presented in a large, easy-to-read font and accompanied by Collet-Derby's ample, stylized illustrations, in black, white, and green, this early chapter book features believable interactions between the sexes. Billy and Flossie are both paper-white, but one illustration shows that two of their classmates are of another race (depicted as green!). Amusing and not too daunting for transitioning readers. (Fiction. 6-8)

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