Channing O'Banning and the Tickled Pink Pencil Problem

Gr 2–4—Channing O'Banning loves to draw, and when she sees the Sweet Candy pencil set, she has to have it. Unfortunately, the pencil set is expensive, and Channing's parents have a strict rule that she must save half of what she earns. At this rate, it will take her forever to buy new pencils. Channing cleans her room, walks the neighbor's crazy dog, helps out at her father's clinic, and even washes a pig in an effort to earn money. While Channing is an engaging, likable character, it takes three quarters of the way through the story to hit one of the main problems highlighted in the book's description: Channing's stolen pencil. The problem is then resolved in a few short pages. Another small quibble is that the pencil thief is described as living in an orphanage. The setting appears to be modern, and a more appropriate term might be group home or foster home. This aside, the bright, notebook-style cover and straightforward story about a likable girl solving her own problems should have wide appeal. Readers don't need to be familiar with Channing to appreciate this title; it can stand alone.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA