Kids are too good in this school store with some classmates who are 'different'. ( )

Spider is in 5th grade and is beginning to get invitations to play from other boys in his class because he is good at basketball. He enjoys the game and likes some of the boys but he still likes to play with his neighbor and childhood friend, Trey. Unfortunately, Trey is different and doesn't fit in with the other boys at school. He is a good target for bullies. Spider is torn between wanting to fit in and wanting to protect his friend. He tells Trey that Trey needs two more friends in his life and Trey sets out to make this happen with surprisng results. Sweet book about friendship and loyalty and fitting in.

Middle grade fiction should be like a "nest box". Carefully constructed, accessible, written for the "different species...all competing for nesting places". Along Came Spider is a "nest box". I laughed out loud when Trey tried to answer the "trick" question about if he was finished sharpening his pencils. He used the classroom poster's tips for Creating Smiles (Say Something Nice to Someone) "Mrs. Wine, you are Awesome...and you rock!" Preller tells an everyday story with eloquence and empathetic grace. These ordinary (amazing) kids are growing up -- daily making their own way, raised by parents, guided by teachers and events. Often in groups, always alone, trying to figure themselves and others out. No under or overstated angst here, the author just tells us about it, and lets the characters speak. Here's a couple more of my favorite quotes from Along Came Spider:
"The kettle whistled; it didn't particularly care if anyone whistled back..."
"Ms. Lobel, you rock..."
"You have good observation skills, Spider,...you see things..."
"You know...I think a nest box is like this library. It's a safe, clean,quiet place...This place is my nest box..."
"They didn't know about the future, or where it would take them, but nobody ever does..."
Reviewed by Nan Hoekstra, read in uncorrected proof. Thank You Shannon Penney at Scholastic. Thanks James Preller, for (another) outstanding contribution to literature for precious children. ( )