The One and Only Stuey Lewis: Stories from the Second Grade

Schoenberg's (The Baby Hustle) debut chapter book offers four stories about a likable and empathetic worrywart. On the third day of second grade, Stuey feigns a stomachache, hoping to stay home so his teacher and classmates won't discover his "awful" secret%E2%80%94"I'm still wicked slow at reading." In subsequent stories, he delays signing up for soccer for fear he won't play as well as his older brother, Anthony ("How can you follow in someone's footsteps when their feet are way bigger than yours?") and contemplates skipping the last day of school because he doesn't want the year to end. Schoenberg demonstrates a knack for lively, humorous, and at times combative interpersonal dynamics through Stuey's interactions with Anthony, best friend Will, and class know-it-all Lilly. Another key supporting player is Stuey's teacher, Ms. Curtis, who finds crafty solutions to each of his dilemmas. Evans's (Bone Soup) halftone cartoons convey Stuey's changeable moods with exaggeration and amplify the book's humor. Readers will easily recognize analogues to Stuey and his crew in their own lives and welcome more of his adventures. Ages 6%E2%80%939. (July)