Like Carrot Juice on a Cupcake

Gr 2–4—Continuing the story begun in Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie (2011) and Like Bug Juice on a Burger (2013, both Abrams), Eleanor learns some hard lessons about friendship, responsbility, and courage. She and her best friend spend Mondays and Wednesdays at her house after school while Pearl's mom is still at work. Then the Biggs family moves to town, and young Ainsley needs extra help getting caught up with her school work. Pearl is assigned to be her buddy and help her—but the only time they can meet is on Mondays and Wednesdays. Eleanor feels left out as the two girls develop a fast friendship. Meanwhile, her parents send her puppy away for two weeks of doggie training camp after several incidents at home. In an attempt to help her friend feel less lonely, Pearl volunteers her to audition for the spring play, even though Eleanor is terrified of singing in front of a large crowd. With all this going on, Eleanor finally cracks and tells the whole class a secret about Ainsley that Pearl had told her (when she was not supposed to), and she learns that making amends sometimes requires a lot of effort, persistance, and bravery. She also learns to face her fears about performing. The sparse style of the occasional pen and ink drawings capture facial expressions and emotions quite well. A good addition for most early-chapter-book collections.—Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN