HAPPY BURPDAY, MAGGIE McDOUGAL!
by Valiska Gregory & illustrated by Pat Porter
Maggie needs to get a birthday present for her best friend Bonkers, but she's broke. To make matters worse, supercilious classmate Cynthia has been bragging about what a big present she's bought. Maggie's homemade solution involves imagination, thinking about what Bonkers really likes, and a lucky find in her grandmother's attic. Her present (gigantic oatmeal cookies, a first issue of Bonkers's favorite comic book, and a gross ``burpday'' card) is a great hit, while Cynthia's big, expensive gift is totally inappropriate. Too nice to gloat, Maggie eases Cynthia's embarrassment and the party ends happily for all. A ``Springboard'' book that's a good read-aloud or read-alone, with a humorous style that's right on target for second and third graders, cheerful b&w illustrations, and the implied message that problems aren't solved by wishing them away. (Fiction. 7-9)