  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 01/01/2017 The multiethnic Bailey family is moving to the Fort Patrick army base. Mom is an officer in human intelligence, and dad works from home. Dyslexic Tom, quiet Charlotte, and whirlwind little sister Rosie, adopted from China when their mother was stationed in Beijing, are excited to live on base: more amenities, more freedom, and “living with kids who get army life.” But soon trouble appears: Tom is bullied and called Sergeant Wimpy; Charlotte’s new friends gossip, and she worries that they will judge her if they learn she still likes dolls; and Rosie struggles to make friends and worries that a dognapper is on the loose. Convinced they can stop the bullying by making a video of Tom acting bravely, the siblings investigate a run-down building in a restricted zone. In the end, humorous misunderstandings become clear, and everyone learns important lessons about bravery and being true to oneself. Despite its modern Mayberry feel, there are not many books featuring military families, and this deserves a place on library shelves. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. School Library Journal - 02/01/2017 Gr 3–6—Tom, Charlotte, and Rosie Bailey are looking forward to living on an army base for the first time. With their mother's new assignment, Fort Patrick becomes the siblings' home. But bullies, missing dogs, and gossipy new friends all rear their head shortly after the Baileys arrive. Tom struggles to develop a plan to deal with an embarrassing photograph that's been passed around the whole school. Charlotte is thrilled when two popular girls invite her into their group, but struggles with the guilt she feels about all the mean things being said. And fiery Rosie is determined to prove to her parents that she doesn't need friends, who will just interfere with her plans. When the three kids pool their talents to address Tom's crisis, a supposedly haunted old building on base draws their attention, leading them to come up with a plan to prove Tom's bravery and rescue the missing dogs at the same time. Books about children growing up in military families are far fewer than they should be, and this one makes for both an entertaining and informative read. While some of the obstacles the characters confront are similar to ones children face anywhere, there are other aspects that are unique to life in a military family. It's refreshing to see caring parents who support their children but don't solve their problems for them. VERDICT A worthy purchase for most libraries, particularly those on or near military bases.—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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