It's George!

That well-loved class of first-graders is delightful in another adventure, this one starring George. He's one of the slowest members of the class when it comes to spelling, handwriting and special projects. But George is a careful and attentive keeper of the classroom hamster and fish. Sometimes the other kids are impatient with him and even Anna Maria calls him ""D-U-M''! Then one day, George doesn't come to schooland the first-grade class doesn't find out why until they watch the afternoon news on TV. George had stopped to visit an elderly friend on his way to school, and when the friend became ill, George called 911 and got help. The formerly scorned first grader is now a classroom hero. Cohen and Hoban's collaboration once again perfectly captures the essence of that all-important first year of school, with a zingy text and comic classroom pictures. Ages 5-up. (March)