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Chelsea Martin Turns Greenby Becky Thoman Lindberg Ages 4-8 |
Not only does Chelsea color her face with what turns out to be an indelible magic marker for a St. Patrick's Day leprechaun contest (winning a prize but, disappointingly, no glory from her third-grade classmates)--but she's also feeling green with envy over best-friend Mary Lynne's friendship with new classmate Abigail. Predictably, the girls make it a threesome by book's end; meanwhile, much of the action is almost too ordinary to be interesting. Still, there are several good scenes (a goldfish buried ``at sea'' [down the toilet], with the girls debating an appropriate epitaph; Chelsea ``rescuing'' Abbie by helping her wash peanut butter from her baby brother under umbrellas in the shower); and the dialogue, the embarrassment Chelsea brings on herself, and her clumsy efforts to get along with the other kids all ring true. Only the occasional b&w drawings reveal that Mary Lynne is African-American. A likable sequel to Speak Up, Chelsea Martin! (1991). — Kirkus Reviews
Published spring 1993. Chelsea discovers that jealousy can get in the way of friendship. When she tells a lie, life becomes even more complicated. The transitional chapter book will appeal to children who like predictable stories about daily life. The events ring true; the black-and-white illustrations aptly fit the story. — Horn Book
Chelsea Martin is back, as likeable as ever, but unable to understand why everyone likes the new third grade girl, Abigail MacCready. Chelsea turns green, in more ways than one! — Ingram