Brothers Lennie and Mel have all sorts of misunderstandings and hijinks during nine holidays throughout the year, including Labor Day, New Years Eve and Cinco De Mayo.

Rather than reading as pieces of a continuing story, each chapter of Lenny and Mel is its own vignette. This makes it easy for young readers to pick up the book and read only a chapter at a time, but it also makes it difficult for any character or plot development to occur. Each page has a few cartoons in the drawing style of a fifth grader, meshing well with the childish tone of the text. Though Lennie & Mel's plot is not particularly compelling, their antics are amusing and sure to elicit a laugh from the reader.

Recommended, particularly for transitional or reluctant readers. ( )

Silliness ensues with Lenny and Mel. Favorite chapter is about the Leftover Fairy: the boys pile Thanksgiving leftovers under the pillow in hopes that the fairy will "pay a dollar per pound." Chapters can be read independently. ( )