Bootsie Barker Ballerina

Grade 2-3?Fans of Bootsie Barker Bites (Putnam, 1992) will be disappointed with this second story about the irrepressible bully. Lisa convinces her friend Bernie to take ballet lessons with her. Of course, Bootsie, meaner than ever, decides to join the class, where the teacher admires the overweight girl’s efforts. Bernie narrates, explaining all of Bootsie’s nasty and disruptive routines. Revenge is achieved by locking her outside in a downpour and smiling at her. Karas’s style, which highlights exaggerated body features, gives the story a dark, foreboding mood. This makes the comic element seem cruel. Children who read this without prior expectations may enjoy the underdog-beats-bully theme. Those who remember the first Bootsie won’t recognize her.?Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TX Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.