Very short - I'm not sure the 7 & 8 year old children who are expected to read this could catch all the ideas as they're so starkly presented, with so little background. Of course, the main themes are pretty simple - people have richer lives than the bit the neighbors see, and crises can bring out the neighborliness and courage in old and young. Belinda is pretty spunky for 9 years, but I didn't really have a chance to fall in love with any of the characters in such a short book.

Perfect for female reluctant readers up to age 9, good for boys and girls who are stuck on Magic Treehouse and ready for other easy independent reading, whether they're five or nine. ( )