Beany and the Meany

In Beany's latest adventure, the lovable worrywart gets stuck with a meany for a science-fair partner but discovers the confidence - and the smarts - to hold her own.

It starts out being a good day, as Beany and her best friend, Carol Ann, sit together on the school bus, happily planning a backyard campout. But that's before Beany learns there's a new kid in class, a fun girl with whom Carol Ann is matched up as guide and welcoming committee. And it's definitely before Ms. Babbitt announces there's going to be a science fair - and suddenly everyone's paired with a partner but Beany and Kevin Gates, the notorious class meany. How can timid Beany work with a bully who bosses her around and calls her names (even if he's surprisingly good at science)? Will she ever work up the nerve to tell him her own great idea for clinching their science project?

Susan WojciechowskiI, a former children's librarian, has written numerous books for children, including THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY, recipient of the prestigious Christopher Medal. "The inspiration for BEANY AND THE MEANY came from my daughter's experience with a science fair in elementary school," she says. "On the day of the fair, she and her partner saw the other glitzy, entertaining, and showy projects and decided the best hope for their very scientific project was third place. When they didn't get called for the third place award, they were so disappointed they tuned out and didn't even hear their names called as the grand-prize winners."

Susanna Natti is the illustrator of all the Beany books. Of BEANY AND THE MEANY, she says, "I can remember laboring with great concentration over a hand-drawn map for a class assignment, but alas, my map looked nothing like the map in the atlas. I completely relate to Beany's high expectations for herself and to her fears that her science project won't pass muster. I don't remember how my teacher eventually graded my map, but I sure do remember making it."


From the Hardcover edition.