The Adventures with Barbie series was originally published in the early 90's and has since been reissued in a variety of countries with various reading orders - sometimes under the same names but not always. In Australia, this series was reissued as Barbie Sweethearts and featured covers with Barbie dolls. The series follows Barbie on her every day adventures featuring recurring characters, different careers, new places and friends and some mysteries. Barbie always has a smile and is always willing to lend a hand, making this a perfect series for tween readers.

In Soda Shop Surprise, the gang are all helping Midge get ready for the grand opening of her new shop when she breaks her leg and has to spend the days leading up to the opening in the hospital. Barbie steps in to make Midge's dreams come true - unfortunately everything that can go wrong does and Barbie is left to constantly come up with new solutions.

This one was alright. Obvious, straight forward, nothing unexpected. Quick easy pleasant reading. Midge tells Barbie off for going ahead and organising solutions Midge wasn't even consulted on and I couldn't really blame Midge either. Yes Barbie was helping her but it was still Midge's dream and it's kind of hard to realise a dream you're not actually involved in. Still, that said I always enjoy Barbie's creative solutions to all the problems they encounter.

Target audience 4 stars, my rating, 3. ( )