Mandy White hates looking 8 years old when she's really 10. She's tired of her babyish blond braids, her bunny sweaters, and her fussy older mother who won't let her cut her hair or buy cool clothes. But most of all, Mandy's had it with being her same old boring self. "I just wanted to stop being me. I wanted to grow up a whole new person, not Mandy White." To make matters worse, Mandy is constantly reminded of her shortcomings by beautiful, raven-haired Kim, the school bully. "Girls like Kim never wear glasses or braces.... They never have a silly haircut. They never wear stupid baby clothes.... You can't tease girls like Kim. There's nothing to tease her about." Then Mandy meets Tanya, the wild foster kid from next door. Tanya is 14, dyes her hair bright orange, wears "great clacky high heels" with every outfit, and fears nothing. With Tanya at her side, Mandy feels like she could face an army of Kims. But will Mandy ever learn how to get in touch with her own inner "bad girl" so she can face down Kim once and for all? Mabel, my dear old tabby cat is a good listener. She never minds what I want to talk about. Mabel may not be as adventurous or as much fun as my friend Sophie's four kittens, but she's always there for me. My teacher told us that in Ancient Egypt, people worshipped cats. Mabel could definitely have been a cat goddess in those days... British author Jacqueline Wilson has perfectly captured the voice and musings of a 10-year-old in transition. Her discussion of issues like bullying and foster care is leavened with humor and sensitivity, without seeming condescending or message-laden. Mandy White joins the ranks of Amber Brown and Anastasia Krupnik as a realistic and honest heroine for girls in their "tween" years. Grade 4-6?A story written in the form of a journal with identical twin sisters writing in turns. The 10-year-old girls have always relished their twinship: making it impossible for people to tell them apart, working out signals so they can pretend to sneeze simultaneously, toss their braids in perfect synchronization, etc. At least, Ruby has always loved it?but then she's the dominant, extroverted one. Garnet seems to have been going along for the ride, safe in Ruby's shadow. When the twins' lives begin to change?a new girlfriend for their father, and then a new job in a new town with the corresponding new school for his daughters?their relationship is suddenly ripe for examination. When Ruby persuades her to audition for a TV series, Garnet rises to the occasion but is paralyzed with fear and subsequently guilt-ridden to have spoiled Ruby's chance at stardom. Next, Ruby plots their escape from home by applying to boarding school, but only Garnet passes the entrance exam. In the throes of making the decision to attend, she finds inner strength, and in finally acknowledging her twin's separate identity, Ruby affirms her love. Though the twins' voices are not always clearly differentiated as to vocabulary and style, their characters and interests are consistently distinct. Black-and-white cartoons add to the generally lighthearted tone. This is a solid but not a stunning read.?Miriam Lang Budin, Mt. Kisco Public Library, NY Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.