GOPHER TAKES HEART

Matthew (``Gopher'') Goff is being victimized by the fifth- grade bully, who daily steals his milk money. But when Fletcher also steals the $3.00 the class has entrusted to Gopher to buy supplies to make their teacher a super-special valentine, Gopher is finally forced to stand up to him. Fletcher's bark turns out to be worse than his bite; he even helps Gopher make the valentine—a praiseworthy reconciliation, but not very believable, with insufficient motivation for the characters' sudden changes in attitudes and behavior. Timorous Gopher becomes not only brave but reckless; and when Fletcher backs down, Gopher forgives him far too readily, considering how long he's been humiliated and frightened by the bully. Not likely to ring true to its audience. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 8-11)