PEARL MOSCOWITZ'S LAST STAND

America as it should be, and sometimes is: Pearl remembers Gingko Street's earlier name—Smith Street—and the planting of its gingko trees at her mother's instigation; she's seen waves of new neighbors with names like Lincoln and Jefferson, Pi§a and Diego, Chen and Kee. Now all the grandmas gather under the last old gingko for cards, and for ``Matzoh balls and steamed dumplings. Challah and jalape§os.'' When a man from the electric company comes to cut down the tree, Pearl distracts him with a bounteous lunch. Next day, the ladies playing canasta divert him with family pictures. On the third day, Pearl chains herself to the tree, and—after her neighbors' enthusiastic support becomes a media event and the tree is saved—the street is renamed once more: now it's Pearl Street. The engaging, deftly crafted story is beautifully visualized in Roth's watercolors, where vibrant characters take energetic part in lively street scenes. Pair this happy tale with Polacco's Mrs. Katz and Tush (1992). (Picture book. 4-9)