Class President

The characters first met in Hurwitz's Class Clown and Teacher's Pet return here, with the spotlight on Julio Sanchez and the upcoming fifth-grade election. Julio would like to be president, although he lacks the confidence to run. But almost in spite of himself, he demonstrates his ability to lead--rallying his peers to raise money to replace a classmate's broken glasses; convincing the principal that a new rule is unfair--and these efforts are recognized on election day. A few of the novel's events have a facile, fabricated tinge, and for all of Julio's demurrals the election's results seem a foregone conclusion from the start. But even with these weak aspects, Hurwitz's breezy, humorous touch, her feel for the details that matter to grade-schoolers and her focus on a strong Hispanic character carry the day. Ages 7 - up. (Apr.)