Goaded by classmate Tameeka, Dyamonde informs her mother that she needs a pair of cool new high-tops and it's a mother's job to provide what she needs. The approach backfires, though, and Dyamonde finds herself with only one set of clothes: "what she needs." The experience sensitizes her to others' needs when fire destroys a classmate's apartment. Laced with realistic conversations, this early chapter book features vividly drawn characters in situations that leave readers with issues to ponder. A good place to start discussions on the difference between wants and needs, this is a solid addition to the Dyamonde Daniel series.

Dyamonde demands that her mother buy her the high-top sneakers she "needs." The next day her clothes disappear, and Mom explains that she only really needs one set. When a classmate's home is destroyed by fire, Dyamonde realizes the distinction between wanting and needing. The character dynamics are pitch perfect, with third-grader Dyamonde realistically balanced between self-confidence and self-doubt.

"Everything we have is a gift," or at least that's what Dyamonde's mom says. It takes a while for Dyamonde to appreciate this truth, but, when she does, she helps others to understand it as well. When classmate Tameeka shows up with expensive sneakers, Dyamonde takes her friend's advice and demands red sneakers for herself. Mrs. Daniel, after a moment of soft, scary speaking, decides that her daughter needs to learn a lesson about want versus need and packs away almost all of Dyamonde's clothes, forcing her to wear the same outfit to school, even when it gets dirty. When her classmate's house burns down, Dyamonde realizes the lesson her mother is trying to teach her and organizes a clothing drive for her friend. Third in a series, this chapter book continues to introduce interesting secondary characters to keep Dyamonde's young fans engaged. Christie's modern black-and-white illustrations are perfect for the urban setting. Dyamonde's readers will enjoy seeing a strong, smart African-American girl face the same challenges they do. A treasure. (Fiction. 5-8)

Gr 3-5 An enjoyable story with a good life lesson. When spunky Dyamonde makes an ill-advised attempt to boss her mother into buying her a pair of red high-top sneakers, her mother decides to provide her with only what she needs: literally the clothes on her back, spiriting away the rest of her wardrobe. Dyamonde fumes over the humiliation of wearing the same outfit, stains included, several days in a row. A classmate's tragedy shakes her out of her funk, and she rises to the occasion, asking her mother to return the rest of her clothing so she can give much of it to the girl, whose family has lost everything in a fire. Her individual effort grows into a school-wide clothing drive, and Dyamonde receives a much greater gift than a pair of high tops: the fulfillment of giving to others. The moral of the story is delivered in an endearing, accessible package. Grimes's style is easygoing and straightforward, her characters real and engaging. Christie's sketches in thick lines of black ink add to the book's appeal. Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR