In the second book in the Andy Russell series, written by the popular and prolific author of the Cam Jansen mysteries, Andy is preoccupied with the impending arrival of a new sibling. For much of the story, he and his older sister, Rachel, attempt to trick their parents into revealing the baby's gender. Meanwhile, Andy and his best friends, Tamika and Bruce, befriend a stray kitten at school, prepare for the fourth-grade carnival, and make plans for Tamika to stay with the Russells while her parents recover from a car accident. The various plot lines provide plenty of humor and action, which is enhanced by Will Hillenbrand's lively drawings. Children ready to tackle something a bit more challenging than the average beginning chapter book will find the longer length and multiple story lines in this selection to be just the thing. (Reviewed March 1, 1999)

In his second book, Andy is driven to distraction in school while awaiting the arrival of both a new baby, whose gender his parents won't divulge, and his friend Tamika, who's coming to live with the Russells temporarily. The story lacks focus and narrative tension, but Andy's a likable character, and the black-and-white illustrations add spirit.

Gr 3-4-Andy Russell's active brain is always busy but rarely tuned into what is going on in his fourth-grade class. While the other students are hard at work, he chooses names for what he hopes will be a new brother, worries about a stray cat hanging around the playground, and thinks about his pal Tamika or his enemy Stacy Ann Jackson. Fractions may not be Andy's bag, but he makes top grades at caring for animals and for friends in need. He willingly offers some of his 50 baby gerbils as prizes for the school carnival but insists the new owners sign a contract promising proper care for their new pets. When Tamika loses her foster family, Andy's family takes her in and he arranges a celebration to welcome her. Andy is an unusual male character because his exploits deal with emotions and relationships rather than physical challenges. Adler does his usual competent job of gearing his writing to readers just beginning novels, but the plot lacks the tension found in his "Cam Jansen" stories (Viking). Hillenbrand's full-page, black-and-white illustrations nicely reflect the humorous tone of the text. Readers looking for a relatively tame home/school story with a warm family background but few surprises will enjoy Andy. Children hooked on fast-paced plots will have to look elsewhere.-Maggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.