Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too!)
Sam is very excited when he learns that his new neighbors have a child named Charlie. He is surprised to discover that Charlie is a girl, and surprised again to learn that her sister is named . . . Sam. Ambiguous gender names aside, Sam and Charlie (and at times, little sister Sam) quickly learn that they have the material between them for a fine friendship. The children are Jewish, and while this provides some scope for the shared cultural experiences between them, any child will understand the universal themes of this early chapter book. Each of the five stories emphasizes an element of friendship, including sharing, kindness, and saying sorry. Sam and Charlie are a tad indistinct in their characterizations, but the full-color cartoonlike illustrations help to flesh them out, as well as support the text for transitioning readers. Recommend to kids who like the gentle tone of Pinky and Rex but are ready to move on to new reading challenges. Grades 1-3. --Kara Dean