Lizzie Logan, Second Banana [Paperback]

Eileen Spinelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1998 | Age Level: 7 and up

Lizzie Logan is finally part of a real family after her mother marries Sam. But when she finds out that her mother is pregnant with a boy, Lizzie is afraid of becoming second banana with her new dad.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?Lizzie Logan, from Lizzie Logan Gets Married (1997) and Lizzie Logan Wears Purple Sunglasses (1995, both S & S) is as sassy as ever as she now copes with her mother's pregnancy. She also prepares for the Little Miss Seafood Pageant, a contest she enters in order to win money to buy a telescope. Through Lizzie's best friend Heather's narrative, Spinelli allows her heroine to come blazing through as she races from one crisis to another, barely noticing the chaos in her wake or the effect of her behavior on Heather's life. Lizzie's in-your-face attitude and her seemingly fearlessness mask her insecurities about winning, being popular, and being loved when the new baby arrives. Although this is not a complex story, it deals with the vagaries of family life and friendship with great humor and compassion. A good lead-in to Lois Lowry's books about Anastasia Krupnik (Houghton).
Ann Cook, Winter Park Public Library, FL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-5. In the third book featuring friends Heather and Lizzie, the girls continue their escapades and face new challenges. When Lizzie learns her mother is pregnant, the news brings not joy but fear that her new stepfather, Sam, will love the new baby more than he loves her. In order to win his admiration and cement her place in his heart, Lizzie decides she must enter, and win, the Miss Seafood Pageant. Heather loses her most beloved toy, and her Uncle Frank has to move away. But as always, in addition to unforeseen life obstacles and snags, there are unexpected joys in Spinelli's astute, witty story. Uncle Frank returns for Heather's birthday, and she finally gets a long-awaited telescope. Lizzie may be losing her place as an only child, but she learns that love can be limitless and there's enough for everyone. And both girls learn to appreciate the importance of family and friends. With humor and compassion, this friendly, easy-to-read chapter book gets the message across that for every door that closes, another can open; it's all in how you choose to look at things. Shelle Rosenfeld

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689815107
• ISBN-13: 978-0689815102
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,946,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Lizzie Logan, Second Banana, March 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lizzie Logan Second Banana (Paperback)

My sister is not a reader, meaning she does not like to read, yet the book held her attention. She finished it in a weekend. This book is cute, interesting, and appropriate for prepubescent females.