FICTION

EllRay Jakes the Recess King!

by Sally Warner
EllRay Jakes the Recess King! illus. by Brian Biggs. 176p. (Ellray Jakes: Bk. 8). Viking. May 2015. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780451469113.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–4—What's eating EllRay Jakes? No, it's not the fact that he's the smallest kid in his third-grade class; though he's likable, EllRay's bummed that he doesn't have more friends. He sets his sights on becoming a social butterfly, but it's not long before his best-laid plans go awry. Sprinkled here and there with cheery spot images and EllRay's trademark lists, this is a simple but charming tale, full of realistic dialogue and marked by the author's genuine understanding of the elementary school set.
EllRay decides he needs a "spare" friend; in search of one, he creates a new recess game. It backfires, though, and another attempt at making friends ends up causing a third-grade brawl on the playground. As usual for this series, EllRay's story gently demonstrates that life isn't always simple, and readers will appreciate the likable kid's honest narration. Biggs's black-and-white illustrations capture the action and emotions.
Reviewed by Staff , May 01, 2015

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