The Reel sisters, Joey, Stevie, and Alex, are also close friends. But when Stevie and Alex both try out for the lead in the school play, the Sisters Club appears to be in trouble. This entertaining story is realistic in its representation of sibling rivalry and all the accompanying drama while also maintaining a sense of humor.

Gr 4-6 In this follow-up to The Sisters Club (Pleasant Co., 2003), the two oldest Reel girls, Alex, 13, the actor in the family, and Stevie, 11, the singer, clash when they both try out for the lead role in a school production of Once Upon a Mattress . As in the earlier title, Stevie is the main narrator, in standard chapters; Alex's sections are in the form of scripts, complete with stage directions; nine-year-old Joey keeps a journal and makes lists, which she illustrates with doodles. The story is believable, as are the sisters' interactions. The different styles add to the fun and help move the plot along quickly. Fans of Meg Cabot's Allie Finkle and graduates of Judy Moody will enjoy this offering. Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

The Reel sisters—Joey, Stevie and Alex—are back in the second installment of the Sisters Club series. Each sister has her role in the family, and Stevie is the one who likes to do the backstage work. Even thinking about being onstage makes Stevie nervous—it's older sister Alex who's the star. When tryouts for Once Upon a Mattress roll around and Alex is uninterested, Stevie, who loves to sing, decides to try out. Turns out, Alex can't resist the lure of the stage, even when a light comedy is on the bill. Woven into the sisterly drama of jealousy and minor betrayal is Little Women , which Stevie is reading aloud to Joey (who wants to be called Jo). References to the classic abound, and readers familiar with it will be relieved when the sisters, after drama of all sorts, sort themselves into a supportive, March-like relationship. McDonald manages to squeeze a lot of action into one story, but instead of feeling frantic, it feels like a real family. Here's hoping for a third act. (Fiction. 8-12)