STANDING UP TO MR. O.
by Claudia Mills
Maggie hates to disappoint her favorite teacher, Mr. O’Neill, but a combination of squeamishness and principles results in her refusal to participate in dissection labs, and in her writing an essay on the immorality of killing animals. Matt, her lab partner, presses her on hypocritical aspects of her own behavior; Maggie turns vegetarian, then vegan, fights with her best friend, attracts the attentions of handsome but angry rebel Jake, and remains calm when her essay is unfairly rejected for a writing prize. Mills (Gus and Grandpa Ride the Train, p. 115, etc.) explores many aspects of morality, allows Maggie’s opponents to have equal force and charm, and reveals in interesting and realistic fashion the inconsistencies in the debate. Once again Mills renders the trials of a good kid in a sympathetic and believable style, while giving readers plenty to ponder. (Fiction. 8-12)