Agnes Parker is facing a tough sixth grade year. Bully Peggy Neidermeyer is looking to make her life miserable by taunting her. Agnes just can't seem to get away from her, no matter what she does! To complicate matters, Agnes can't see the board and learns she needs glasses, which becomes a new topic for Peggy to make fun of! A bicycle accident then causes Agnes to break her arm --- though it does leave her with a cool lavender cast.

Sixth grade does have a few good points, though: her best friend Prejean is in the class and a new boy, Joe, is pretty interesting. Agnes finds herself growing through the many obstacles with the help of both Prejean and Joe.

Some of the best parts of this book are the scenes with Prejean and Agnes. They play hilarious skits with a silly dating board game to help tell their futures. They also find creative ways to deal with the bullies each face.

Fans who liked the Amber Brown books when they were younger will enjoy this one. It's light, and has many funny moments and believable characters. There is nothing serious or deep about the tone of this one, though some serious issues are touched upon to move the plot along quickly. Joe has some problems at home, and there is a frightening scare with some Halloween candy Agnes eats. For the most part, though, this is simple and light reading for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

   --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio