Fiona’s Little Lie

In this sequel to Felix Stands Tall, Fiona is named Birthday Elf for her best friend Felix, but she forgets her responsibilities and shows up at school the next day without the cupcakes she was supposed to bring. Desperate, she concocts a story about three cupcake thieves, a lie that quickly catches up with her. Wells is in fine form and her succinct, direct text doesn’t pull any punches, but she’s never less than sympathetic to all her characters; few artists can equal her empathy and artistry when it comes to depicting a child in the throes of mortification. The ending offers readers an important lesson: a moral slip-up need not be a black mark on one’s permanent record. Ages 5–8. (Sept.)