Hazel Green - Softcover

Odo Hirsch was born in Australia and now lives in London. In addition to Hazel Green and the Bartlett stories, Odo is the author of the widely acclaimed, award-winning Antonio S and the Mystery of Theodore Guzman.

Grade 3-5-This entertaining story of one child standing up to adult authority is likely to win many fans. Hazel Green thinks it's unfair that children are not allowed to march in her town's annual Frogg Day parade, so she convinces the powers that be to let them to participate-as long as they have a float. She and the other youngsters from her building, the birthplace of the man the parade honors, develop the plans for a model of the building, but Yakov, a mathematical genius, tells Hazel that it will fall down, which no one wants to hear. Meanwhile Hazel is being falsely blamed for revealing her friend's secret recipe for a new pastry to a rival baker. Ultimately, resourceful Hazel proves that she didn't give away the secret, helps her friends fix the tower, makes a friend of Yakov, and marches in the parade. While some of the more minor characters are rather stereotypical, Hazel, Yakov, and several of the adults are interesting, complex characters. The writing is clever and funny, the plot has broad appeal, and readers will applaud Hazel's triumphs. Hirsch's book will satisfy audiences looking for gentle, humorous fiction.
Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
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