Leila Toledo (Children's Literature)
The six children who speak out during a day at school gives a kaleidoscope of what goes on in a third grader's mind. Of the six, Malcolm seems to be the serious one. He enjoys the beauty of the outdoors and of his ancestors. He enjoys the joy of being reunited with his mother and baby brother at the end of the day. Lamont seems to be "Mr. Goody two shoes." He reads well, tattles on the others, hogs his spot in line and stays in line as instructed. Some of the girls giggle, whisper to each other and become "best friends." And then there is Tyrell who can't keep quiet and ends up going to the principal's office with a list of all her sins. Most teachers will nod in agreement about the vast diversity of personalities and behavior of students in the classroom. It would be nice if all teachers were able to listen between the lines. 2004, Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00. Ages 7 to 10.

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2005)
A third grade classroom is the setting for Karen English’s collection of poems offering glimpses into the lives of some of the students. Some shine, and some struggle. There are disagreements and hurt feelings, proud moments, and poignant, sometimes heartbreaking looks at the truths they need to tell, whether or not they are real (“My real daddy’s coming for me after school / To buy me whatever I want / To take me in his arms / Drive me all around / Show me off . . . ”). Authentic and childlike, each poem does indeed invite readers to listen between the lines, to attempt to understand more fully the child behind the words that have been spoken. CCBC categories: Understanding Oneself and Others. 2004, Farrar Straus and Giroux, 32 pages, $16.00. Ages 6-9.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 13))
English captures the voices of six African-American children as they chronicle one school day. Malcolm is the dreamer, the image-maker, as he notices and pretends and wishes. Lamont is righteous, but he's also the one who gives his teacher a flower and wants to sit next to the "reading boy," perhaps to catch some of his talent. Tyrell is angry and troublesome and yearning to be good. Rica and Neecy are best friends, while Brianna is heartbroken at being left out of their tightness. English employs the simplest of language in perfect evocation of the children's thoughts, confusions, small hopes, and large dreams. Most of the poems can be read as universal moments in the lives of elementary-school children of all ethnicities and backgrounds, or one can "listen between the lines" to find the unique characters of these six individuals. Bates does just that as she enhances each poem with a beautifully powerful illustration, capturing every mood, every feeling, and breathes life into each distinct personality. Just wonderful. 2004, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 32p, $16.00. Category: Picture book/poetry. Ages 7 to 10. Starred Review. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2005)
Six inner-city third graders take turns describing aspects of their day; their thoughts are presented as narrative poems, many of which seem too sophisticated for a typical eight-year-old's mind. The kids ruminate on everything from jealousy to ethnic pride to (most memorably and movingly) what it feels like to be earmarked as a problem. The book contains serviceable art featuring an urban setting. Category: Picture Books. 2004, Farrar, 32pp, $16.00. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.