BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLITZ

A straight-laced boy deals with a mischievous pair of twins and a set of triplets in this series opener.

Poor, rule-following David! He’d been looking forward to the best school year ever on his first day of third grade. Thanks to his parents and school principal, he would never again have to be in the same class with his next-door neighbors, the Romero twins—or Travieso Twins, as David and his mom call them due to their troublemaking proclivities. Alas, David doesn’t realize his new neighbors include a set of triplets. Mischievous triplets. When the Benitez kids try to take charge of the tower on the school playground that’s been claimed as Twin Territory, a veritable war of the multiples begins. Hijinks ensue, and all the kids suffer, albeit in entertaining ways. David will have to step outside his comfort zone if he ever wants to enjoy some peace and quiet. Statements meant to encourage transitioning readers appear at the end of many chapters. Supported by textual naming conventions, Flores’ art portrays a racially diverse neighborhood and classroom; her characterizations are expressive and animated. David, the twins, and the triplets are cued as Latinx. Torres excels with this well-paced early chapter book that both respects her readers’ abilities and doesn’t pander to them.

A good choice to grow any early chapter book collection.