The Crazy Friend

K-Gr 2—A humorous early chapter book with a questionable title and message. Ginger Green, a vivacious seven-year-old fox, calls herself "The Playdate Queen." She excitedly plans a playdate with her friend Maisy; from the beginning it is clear that Maisy's exuberance is overwhelming, not just for Ginger but also for her mother and older sister. After removing all of her clothes, Maisy runs through the house, devours food without asking, then ends up on the roof. Ginger must find a way to tell Maisy how she feels about her chaotic behavior before the playdate is ruined for good. Ginger is a likable protagonist, and some characters are realistic, like Ginger's frustrated mother and aloof older sister, but the character of Maisy is inconsistent. Her behavior evokes a sense of playful silliness reminiscent of Junie B. Jones, but then veers into inappropriate and downright dangerous scenarios. When Ginger's older sister uses the name "Crazy Maisy," she is reprimanded by her mother for being unkind, but the word, "crazy" is used repeatedly to describe Maisy, even by Maisy herself, perpetuating a stereotype that seems incongruous with literature for young, impressionable readers. The line-drawn illustrations by Davis complement the chaos of the story and bring the characters to life.