Queen Sophie Hartley

May 2, 2005
Greene's (the Owen Foote novels) intermittently affecting novel introduces a nine-year-old who is saving up to buy a tiara. The middle child of five siblings, Sophie is convinced that she is not good at anything—except crying and keeping a list of all the things she does not do well. One of them is ballet, at which her frequently condescending 12-year-old sister, Nora, excels. In a comical family dinner scene, Nora snootily comments that Sophie "can't do anything
," and the younger sister responds by performing her trademark trick of wiggling her nostrils. Sophie revels in taking the spotlight until her sister says, "I'd die if my
nose looked like that." Sophie runs to her room, where Mrs. Hartley consoles her by saying she has a talent for "being kind" and suggests she hone the skill by practicing it (the woman also wisely makes it a bit of a contest, saying that Nora is only kind "when it suits her"). This sets the stage for some rather belabored descriptions of the girl's efforts at being kind (to the off-putting new girl at school and a moody older woman). Yet Greene's narrative shines in its depiction of the heartwarming, entirely realistic Hartley family dynamics, including a satisfying turnabout by Nora, which brings the story to a—literally—sparkling conclusion. Ages 7-10.

May 1, 2005
Gr 3-5 -Sophie, 8, has tried ballet, in which her older sister excels. She wishes she could play the violin like her brother. Even horseback riding lessons don't work out. Her mother reminds her that she is good with the baby, at making mashed potatoes, and, most importantly, at being kind, an underrated skill. Sophie decides to fine-tune this quality. She makes a few missteps along the way with a new girl at school, but develops a special bond with an elderly woman, a history professor who unexpectedly helps her to find another special ability thanks to discussions about Queen Victoria -curtsying. The family dynamics are nicely developed and believable as the siblings have their squabbles and the parents are supportive but not overbearing. Sophie is likable and resilient, and readers will identify with her as she works through her school and family situations. -"Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2005
Gr. 3-5. Sophie is overweight, and compared with her siblings, she feels decidedly undertalented. When her mother tells her that she is good at "being kind," she tries to develop that talent by doing just what her mother pressures her to do: befriending Heather, the strange new girl at school, and spending time with Dr. Holt, a cross old lady. In the days that follow, Sophie's old pals desert her, Heather manipulates her, and even Dr. Holt gets the best of her until she begins to stand up for herself. Though the ending has some moral ambiguity, no doubt readers will be in Sophie's corner as she takes her revenge on Heather. The author of the Owen Foote series, Greene conveys Sophie's emotions and thoughts with ruthless candor and the dynamics of her large family with humor and clarity.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2006
Sophie, a middle child with no apparent talents, longs to be special. Her attempts to stand out lead her to a rewarding friendship with a cranky elderly woman and an unwanted friendship with a snooty new classmate. Greene's sense of humor and understanding of contemporary family dynamics are as impressive here as in her Owen Foote books.

(Copyright 2006 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)