Alexandra Hopewell, Labor Coach

May 1, 2005
Gr 5-7 -Alexandra, 11, struggles with a learning disability and an unpleasant teacher at school, while at home she prepares for the birth of a sibling. After having broken three eggs (representing infants) in her class's family-life project, Alex decides that witnessing her sibling's birth firsthand would be a fine replacement for the assignment and sets out to convince her parents that she is mature enough to handle the occasion. Predictably, the baby arrives early, and Alex must deliver it single-handedly, giving her a much-needed confidence boost. Although Alex is likable, most of the characterizations are uneven and the message is a bit heavy-handed. The author describes a childbirth video in blatant detail, describing the blood, mucus, and pain so accurately that it may shock or scare some readers. This book might have limited use in a parenting collection or for children with specific requests; however, suitable alternatives exist in this genre, notably the works of Ellen Conford, Betsy Byars, and Jack Gantos." -Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2005
Gr. 3-5. Alexandra Hopewell is called "Alex Hopeless" by her classmates; she is endlessly in the doghouse with her teacher, and, as if life weren't complicated enough, she has announced that she is going to be her pregnant mom's labor coach. Just when Alex decides that being in the delivery room might be too overwhelming, her mother goes into labor, and Alex must prove herself to her parents, her teacher, and her skeptical classmates. For the most part, Butler successfully juggles the many elements of her novel, including a protagonist with special needs (Alex has auditory processing disorder); a teacher who is impatient with a pupil's atypical learning style; and the specifics of giving birth. However, portrayals of supporting characters are occasionally too simplistic, and few readers will be drawn by the awkward, dated cover illustration. Still, this merits consideration for its candor regarding the birthing process, unusual in fiction for this age group.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)