| Ellen was eight years old and wore bands on her
teeth. Her best friend had just moved away and she missed her. Still,
as she walked to the Spofford School of the Dance one Saturday, she
was almost glad she had no best friend. Best friends do not have secrets
from each other, and Ellen had a secret she did not want to share
with anyone. But by the time the dancing lesson was over (surely the
most devastating dancing lesson on record), Ellen had found a best
friend and shared her secret. The best friend was Austine, and the
secret was that Ellen was wearing woolen underwear. So was Austine!
This whole book is a cause for rejoicing, for Mrs. Cleary has done
it again. Ellen Tebbits is as funny as Henry Huggins.
Perhaps it is even funnier. The children who read it will decide
for themselves. Louis Darling, who has provided the wonderful illustrations,
has already made his decision. He calls it a draw.
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"Ellen and her troubles are both funny and
touching; we meet her trying to hide her long underwear at
dancing school, and playing a substitute rat in `The Pied
Piper.' All is told with a downright realism, and the school
scenes are choice."
-- New York Herald Tribune
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