Everybody Needs a Buddy (The Big Idea Gang) written by James Preller, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary:  This edition of the Big Idea Gang called Everybody Needs a Buddy is quite fun! Tge students in the club, Deon, Connor, Lizzy, and Kym hear about the PTA having extra money to spend and come up with ideas to suggest to the PTA for that money. Deon notices a new student, Dinesh Barazani, alone on the playground one day and he goes out of his way to connect with Dinesh. He and his friends in BIG (Big Idea Gang) find a bit of information about something called a Buddy Bench and they come up with the slogan they will use to chat with the PTA about their idea: Everybody needs a buddy!

The short chapters with illustration support are perfect for 2nd-4th grade chapter book readers and the enthusiasm and humor of this group of characters will encourage students to read and consider the problem of how to inspire others when you have a good idea for your community. Miss Zip, their teacher, offers persuasive writing ideas after the story and ties it all together in a nice writing lesson bow that teachers are sure to love.

I did notice a few editing mistakes (missed words) as I read, but all in all this is a solid addition for my two elementary school collections.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Great series for those who serve elementary school populations and want a way to encourage writing for fun and for persuasion.