Description:

When Cricket Kaufman breaks her ankle just before her spring-break vacation trip to Washington, D.C., she's stuck at home with prankster Lucas Cott instead of sightseeing with her best friend, Zoe. But when Cricket stirs up some mischief of her own, she learns that good friends can remain true even at the most unexpected times. Another winning installment in the 'Class Clown' series.

**

From Publishers Weekly

In this relatively sedate tale featuring Cricket Kaufman and pals, first introduced in Class Clown, Hurwitz takes a break from the series' predominantly school setting. For the bulk of the novel?and all of her spring vacation?Cricket is laid up with a broken ankle. Luckily, the fifth grader's personality, handily revealed through animated conversation and humorous snippets of the girl's thoughts, is sufficiently appealing to carry the plot, which, given the heroine's homebound status, is unavoidably short on action. Cricket's accident comes at the worst possible time, as she must pass up a long-planned trip to Washington, D.C., with the family of her best friend, Zoe. Adding insult to injury, Zoe invites another classmate to go on the trip in Cricket's place. Hurwitz smoothes out that wrinkle with a breezy narrative showing how Cricket's friends and teacher help her cope with her frustration and boredom. Though not as effervescent as the author's tales of Ali Baba Bernstein, Aldo and Elisa, this bright bauble will give fans of Cricket and company a welcome update. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5. Cricket Kaufman feels she's the "luckiest person alive." Her most recent fifth grade success, an "A" on a book report about Helen Keller, and an approaching spring-break trip to Washington, DC, with her best friend, Zoe, convince her it is so. Then a bet with the class pest, Lucas, causes her to fracture her ankle. But much to her surprise, vacation at home proves to be a chance to appreciate simple things such as negotiating stairs; making a new friend; tricking Lucas; and trying her hand at cross-stitch and drawing. She also enters a contest designing a postage stamp. Zoe returns with a bagful of souvenirs, and Cricket's parents decide a trip to the nation's capital that summer would be appropriate. Although she doesn't win the contest, Cricket still decides that everything good in her life makes her a winner. The spare, black-ink sketches portray telling facial expressions, adding interest to the story. Hurwitz is always consistent in style, characterization, and writing, and her latest offering runs true to form. The author's many fans will be quick to devour it.?Christina Dorr, Calcium Primary School, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.