"I wonder who'll choose the New Kid
to be their Science project buddy.
I already chose Stewart.
And Stewart already chose me.
But our teacher says today the bowl will choose.
(We hate it when the bowl chooses.)
Stewart gets paired with ... "
Being the New Kid in school is never easy. The boy who narrates this heartfelt, humorous tale is one of the 'old' kids who are just not sure about that new kid. He observes her in the hallway and the classroom, noting some very different behaviors. She never wears shoes, she leaps after the basketball in gym, she howls in music class, and she chases squirrels during their lunch break. She doesn't seem to care if people don't talk to her. Or does she?
When the two are paired to work on a science project, it is made clear that the new kid has a very different family life than his. A visit to her home shows she is being raised by wolves, who welcome him and treat him with respect and kindness. He likes her, and notes that she does not have even one flea ... a clear rejection of mean Molly's spiteful remark.
Eda Kaban's art is painted digitally and offers lively observations of school life and the kids who live it. Her illustrations cleverly match the tone of the tale, and provide some very funny moments. The endpapers are a delight!
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