Even though I liked them better than the very few books for preschoolers that this author has written, I didn’t enjoy the first two Richie books as much as I’ve liked most other books by this author. I always look forward to new books by Patricia Polacco (I’ve read them all) but I wasn’t feeling as enthusiastic about this book as I would have been if it had different subject matter. I loved this third Richie book though! I loved their sister-brother relationship in this one. I loved learning about Ozzie. What a great guy! I recognize the neighborhoods from back then. Even though this story takes place across the bay I added it to my San Francisco shelf. It’s definitely San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes I miss the way the areas were back then. Great places to grow up, mostly safer, a lot more affordable, and often a more neighborly feel in many areas. I’m glad Ozzie is featured in this book. Such kind and wise people deserve to be memorialized and that way they can be helpful to others, including readers who never had the pleasure of knowing them.

There were some negatives though, for today’s kids, unless looked as a historical work. The author says this event took place almost 65 years ago, and it shows. Girls having to wait for boys to ask them to dance at school dances. The vernacular from that era. I also didn’t like how Patricia didn’t like one boy and then did (from dip to dreamboat) when he got his braces off and got contact lenses.

I was still waiting for the hardcover edition but I’m no longer feeling safe going inside libraries, even just to pick up materials, unless it’s really necessary, so I checked and I was able to immediately borrow an e-copy so I read that.

I’m greatly looking forward to Polacco’s next book. I hope that there are many more. ( )