Owen Foote, Second Grade Strongman

April 1, 1996
Gr 1-3-In the privacy of his bedroom, undersized, skinny Owen and his overweight friend, Joseph, share concerns about their bodies. Both boys hope that weightlifting and learning about Owen's grandfather, who was a professional strongman, will bring about some positive change. They dread the upcoming height-and-weight-chart day since the school nurse broadcasts each child's measurements and her opinions about them to everyone within earshot. This year, Owen is horrified to find himself standing up to her. Naturally, this results in a trip to the principal's office and reprimands from his parents, but he also has a quiet heart-to-heart talk with Mrs. Jackson that proves helpful to them both. In this delightful first novel, Greene demonstrates her understanding of second graders. Her realistic portrayal of school life is punctuated with lively, natural dialogue and conveys the humor as well as the concerns of seven-year-olds. Owen and Joseph are fully realized characters with a strong, supportive friendship. The author's light treatment of a subject of interest to children, as well as the short chapters and often comical black-and-white illustrations, make this an attractive choice for beginning chapter-book readers.-Maggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME

April 15, 1996
Gr. 2^-3. A lighthearted illustrated chapter book dramatizes boys' intense concern with body size. Owen is the smallest in his class. He dreads height-and-weight chart day. Last year, the school nurse, Mrs. Jackson, called him a pipsqueak, and she said it at the top of her voice. This time, she tells his best friend, Joseph, that he's too fat. Owen defends his pal and tells her to keep her voice down. He's an instant hero with the kids, but he's in trouble with the principal and with his parents, until he apologizes to Mrs. Jackson. Surprisingly, she apologizes to him and admits she needs a hearing aid. The solutions are pat, especially the message that Owen's just a late developer who will grow up tall, but the telling is warm and funny, and the full-page pencil illustrations capture the confrontations and the affection among family, friends, and classmates. ((Reviewed April 15, 1996))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1996, American Library Association.)