Kid Power

Andrew Clements tends to write books about competent kids who get over their heads in a situation complicated by adult assumptions, but then climb back out with a little support. The kids are honorable types who care about doing the right thing. I like the formula, and The Last Holiday Concert doesn't disappoint. Hart is a sixth grader who finds life fairly easy -- he's a great guy who is popular because he honestly cares about other people, but he's also a bit smug about his easy life. He finds himself in charge of the class holiday concert, and deals with various management problems. Adults reading this book will enjoy that, while kids should enjoy the idea of a teacher handing real responsibility off to a student, and then being astonished when the children do well with it.