In Cody's excitement over having her first sleepover at Pearl's house, she goes along with her friend's suggestion to switch stuffed animals. She misses Gremlin immediately, painfully. Wanting to prove that she's "trusty," Cody tries to stick it out, but ends up taking desperate measures. Simultaneously, her brother deals with the theft of his new bike. Written with verve and style, this nicely illustrated chapter book delves into Cody's emotions as she wrestles with her conscience, accuses a neighbor of stealing, and tries to make everything come out right. This chapter book from the Cody series handles a tough issue with sensitivity and balance.

When her brother's bicycle is stolen, Cody is determined to get it back. She accuses an unlikable classmate--falsely, it turns out. Meanwhile, despite her qualms, she agrees to a toy swap with best-school-friend Pearl that leaves her without her beloved security object, Gremlin. Told in third-person-limited narration, this gentle, funny, moving chapter book, the third about Cody, captures the girl's personal struggles and sensitive nature.

Big brother Wyatt pays more attention to his new bike than to Cody, who helped assemble it, but when it's stolen, her jealousy turns to empathy—she's just lost something precious herself.Excited about her first sleepover, at Pearl's, Cody—a little nervous—brings her beloved toy, Gremlin, for comfort. Smitten with Gremlin, Pearl elicits a trade, insisting Cody choose among Pearl's valuable collection of plush endangered animals. Cody accedes reluctantly. Her misery grows as her attempts to reverse the trade are rebuffed. Finally, she steals Gremlin back, angering Pearl when she finds out. The titular rules concern honesty and tact. When does borrowing become stealing? What constitutes permission? Here, theme and plot are at odds. Pearl, depicted as Asian in the lighthearted illustrations (Cody is white), is endowed with "model minority" attributes: good student, talented musician, origami whiz, pretty, well-liked. She follows rules. "If Pearl were an animal, she'd be a star puppy in obedience school," Cody reflects. Stereotyping aside, Pearl's manipulations, on her own turf and later, counter that portrait. Cody's held at fault for secretly stealing Gremlin back, Pearl merely for her indignant response, while her culpability in forcing the trade goes unmentioned. These rules come with a powerful subtext that seems to say that theft is wrong, but manipulation may be acceptable. (Fiction. 7-10)

Gr 1-3The rules of life can be a bit confusing. Cody, the young and excitable protagonist, learns this lesson the hard way when she agrees to trade favorite stuffed animals with her best friend Pearl. When the toy goes missing, things get complicated and Cody is faced with a moral dilemma. Cody is a very approachable, well-meaning, and relatable character who has a passion for bugs. Cody's older brother also plays a key role in this story. He is often more excited about his bike than spending time with his little sister, which prompts Cody into actions she regrets. The story is a tad predictable and not particularly fresh in themes, but readers will still appreciate how Cody copes with family, friends, and the complications that life brings. VERDICT Recommended for chapter book collections, especially those lacking depictions of strong female protagonists.Ashley Prior, Lincoln Public Library, RI