Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes

If 10-year-old Matthew would stop bickering with his sister, pulling pranks on the girls in his class and fighting with his best friend, his sleepover birthday party would be a complete success. Matthew's health-nut mother is actually allowing him to have junk food, and his eight friends are going to bring great presents. What more could he want? How about a truce with the sixth-grade girls who have declared war on him? They threaten to ruin the party he has been anticipating for weeks, until Matthew finally swallows his pride. He and the girls reach an agreement, and Matthew's 11th birthday celebration turns out to be even better than he expected. Danziger once again combines insight and humor in her first book for younger readers (and her first starring a boy); her characters come alive through natural dialogue and universal experiences. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)