Andy and Tamika (Andy Russell)
Grade 3-4-Andy Russell's active brain is always busy but rarely tuned into what is going on in his fourth-grade class. While the other students are hard at work, he chooses names for what he hopes will be a new brother, worries about a stray cat hanging around the playground, and thinks about his pal Tamika or his enemy Stacy Ann Jackson. Fractions may not be Andy's bag, but he makes top grades at caring for animals and for friends in need. He willingly offers some of his 50 baby gerbils as prizes for the school carnival but insists the new owners sign a contract promising proper care for their new pets. When Tamika loses her foster family, Andy's family takes her in and he arranges a celebration to welcome her. Andy is an unusual male character because his exploits deal with emotions and relationships rather than physical challenges. Adler does his usual competent job of gearing his writing to readers just beginning novels, but the plot lacks the tension found in his "Cam Jansen" stories (Viking). Hillenbrand's full-page, black-and-white illustrations nicely reflect the humorous tone of the text. Readers looking for a relatively tame home/school story with a warm family background but few surprises will enjoy Andy. Children hooked on fast-paced plots will have to look elsewhere.Maggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, MECopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.