Review: Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple

Written by Liz Garton Scanlon

Illustrated by Dung Ho

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2024. Intermediate. 117 pages.

Eight-year-old Bibsy is a "regular-pegular" third grader with an excitement for life and a lot to say. Her ebullience lands her in trouble with her strict teacher Mrs. Stumper, who labels Bibsy's talkativeness as "a stone too far" before she moves Bibsy's apple to the bottom of the behavioral chart. The apple chart looms over Bibsy each day, as she worries about being herself while still succeeding in class. Then, a science fair project with her best friend Natia gives Bibsy the ultimate inspiration to turn her sours into sweets -- and change Mrs. Stumper's opinion of her.

This new intermediate series opener is delightful. Bibsy is a happy, empathetic kid that a lot of other kids will like to read stories about. Told in very simple verse with simple illustrations, this is sure to be a new favorite series.

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