The Best of Iggy

"All of us do things we wish we hadn't done" begins this lively illustrated series opener about Iggy Frangi, a mischievous, good-hearted nine-year-old who frequently lands himself in trouble and only sometimes regrets it. The omniscient narrator describes Iggy's world with a dry tone ("He has to stay in his room until dinnertime. It's two thirty in the afternoon"), detailing the events--described as "extenuating circumstances"--that have contributed to Iggy's ill-advised actions. Short chapters tell the story of three occurrences: Iggy inadvertently goading Jeremy Greerson into jumping off the roof onto a trampoline, raiding the family medicine cabinet for an overzealous prank, and racing classroom desks toward an unsuspecting fourth-grade teacher. Of the three, the last inspires regret and thoughtful introspection. With Iggy, Barrows (the Ivy and Bean series) has created a realistic kid--passionate, funny, and sometimes misguided--whom readers will surely root for as he gains awareness of the relationship between choices and consequences. Black-and-white illustrations by Ricks highlight Iggy's antic nature. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Liza Dawson, Liza Dawson Assoc. Illustrator's agent: Minju Chang, BookStop Literary. (Jan.)

Gr 3-7—Iggy isn't a bad kid—he just lives by the motto "It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time." He blames his friends, his parents, his teacher, but will he ever take responsibility for his actions? Scene transitions feel choppy, but the plot is amusing and Iggy is relatable—though mischievous, he's a good kid deep down. While character development is thin, the cast is engaging and grows on the reader. Funny, detailed illustrations complement the text well, though the font may be difficult to read for some. VERDICT Fans of Barrows's "Ivy + Bean" series and books about kids who often find themselves landing in trouble will appreciate this laugh-out-loud tale. For libraries where humorous realistic fiction is popular.—Kira Moody, Salt Lake County Library Services