Ethan Marcus Stands Up

Gr 4–6—Seventh grade siblings Ethan and Erin are only 11 months apart in age. The two used to be close but now have different interests and are getting on each other's last nerve. Ethan, according to Erin, doesn't worry about anything and is their parents' favorite. In Ethan's eyes, Erin is too uptight and concerned with grades—and their parents think she's perfect. The annual invention contest at school is coming up, and Ethan and Erin are entering separately with their respective best friends, Brian and Zoe. When Ethan's football accidentally lands in the middle of Erin's invention-in-progress, tempers explode. This is a case of two people not taking the time or trusting each other enough to talk about their feelings. Readers will easily pick up on the relevant life lessons peppered throughout. The story is told by the characters as if they are directly addressing readers. Unfortunately, even though each section is clearly labeled with its narrator's name, the voices are often indistinguishable.