I've Already Forgotten Your Name, Philip Hall!
By Bette Greene

       Beth Lambert sure can get herself into mischief. When she tries to settle squabbles between her friends, the girls end up angry with her. Her efforts to find her brother's stolen piglet succeed but land the town's richest merchant in trouble. And when her friend, Philip Hall, accuses her of forgetting all about him while she visited her grandmother, lies about a new, stronger boyfriend come shootin' out of Beth's mouth.

       So what's a guy to do? Why, Philip challenges the boy, Tyrone the Cyclone to an arm-wrestling match. Only trouble is, Tyrone doesn't exist. But by the time Beth confesses to Phil, the whole town is riled up, sure Phil is going to bring honor back to Pocahontas, Arkansas.

        Her grandmother rides to Beth's rescue, but not in the cliché way readers may expect.

       Ms. Greene, a previous Newbery Honor recipient, presents another delightful read. The story has enough twists and turns to hold young readers' attention. The characters come to life through their individualized personalities and natural dialogue. Unlike many novels for this age, the vocabulary contains no profanity. Beth's antics are humanly flawed but never malicious; her strong morals shine as bright as the Arkansas sun after a summer shower. Do your young friends and relatives a huge favor: Add I've Already Forgotten Your Name, Philip Hall! to their summer reading list.