Tank Talbott's Guide to Girls

May 1, 2006
Gr 4-6 -This sequel to "Trading Places with Tank Talbott" (Albert Whitman, 2003) stands on its own. Here, the irrepressible youngster is threatened with flunking fifth grade unless he puts in some serious summer-school effort. Only two hours daily of math tutoring and heavy journal writing can save him from humiliation. Of course, keeping his academic sufferings secret from his best buddy and good-guy role model, Jason, proves increasingly difficult as Tank -s three stepsisters arrive for the summer. Mollie, who is the same age, is his particular nemesis, and his efforts to live down his reputation as bully and troublemaker grow harder in the face of her attempts to sabotage him. He has matured a lot since becoming friends with Jason, but family issues, including his former stepfather -s abusive behavior, have complicated his up-hill battle to redeem himself. Readers will relate to this painfully honest portrayal of growing up as seen from a believable 11-year-old boy -s perspective. Tank -s inspirational idea of writing a -Guide to Girls - for his assignment provides lots of humor, and well-realized interactions between contemporaries and siblings add interest. Tank learns to appreciate the value of friendship and begins to deal more effectively with his problems as he negotiates the roadblocks in his path and moves on to middle school." -Quinby Frank, formerly at Green Hedges School, Vienna, VA"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2006
Gr. 4-6. Tank Talbott's summer is starting badly. Without summer school, he'll fail fifth grade; his stepsisters are coming, which means giving up his room; and he just can't understand girls. His situation inspires " Tank Talbott's Guide to Girls," which he is sure will be a best-seller, as it purports to explain such mysteries as why girls wear perfume and go to the bathroom in pairs. When stepsister Mollie responds with a guide to boys, it's a battle of the sexes and siblings, bringing mishaps, misunderstandings, and, ultimately, a new perspective on addressing conflict and finding common ground. Butler's follow-up to " Trading Places with Tank Talbott " (2003) is a satisfying, often humorous read (Tank's explanations for girls' behavior are particularly creative), which touches on such matters as Internet safety, changing friendships, and anger management, especially as it relates to Tank's older brother. Serious issues aren't always smoothly incorporated into the story, but kids will like Tank and also understand his hope to demystify the opposite sex. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)