Is That True?

February 1, 2005
Gr 2-4 -In watered-down "Dear Abby" style, fictitious Frank B. Wize, an alarmingly well-adjusted 13-year-old, serves as the character guide in each of these books, giving computer-generated, written responses to younger children who request advice on moral topics. "Is That True?" deals with everything from cheating to protective white lies, and the other titles have a similar scope that takes an issue from home to school to the world at large. The books include an introduction to the topic from Frank, several question-and-answer pages, a quiz with an answer key, and a short bio from the teen's "Personal Hero File." The "File" is the most interesting part of each book, with Rachel Carson the exemplar in "True?", Eleanor Roosevelt in "Pitch In!", and Sadako Sasaki in "Get Along!" The colorful, digitally rendered illustrations have a flat cartoon style that vaguely suggests "textbook." While kids might be struggling with some of the dilemmas presented, any helpful advice risks being lost in the bland pages, Frank's condescending voice, and the heavy-handed morality. Kids will find it easier and more rewarding to glean advice on honesty, cooperation, and tolerance from good stories with strong plots." -Julie Roach, Watertown Free Public Library, MA"

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