Two of a Kind

K-Gr 2 Anna and Julisa are friends who both wear red glasses and are quiet, shy, and helpful. Kayla and Melanie, referred to by everybody as "two of a kind," are not as nice, and their mocking, self-importance is somewhat alluring to naive Anna. When they begin to include her in their games, she is secretly delighted. She feels guilty about leaving Julisa alone but sits silently by as the two malicious girls scoff openly at Julisa and call her "Miss Giant Eyes." It soon becomes clear to Anna that she doesn't have much in common with these bossy and unkind classmates. When she finally realizes that she much prefers the company of her goodhearted and true friend over the two "popular" girls, she leaves them behind with no regrets. The well-designed pastel watercolor illustrations connect this story with the author and illustrator's previous title, "The New Girl]and Me" (S & S, 2006). Filled with characters reflecting varying ethnic backgrounds, both offerings could easily be set at the same school. There's not much here that hasn't been done before but the book imparts a good lesson that needs reinforcing."Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.