In this eighth book in the series, Lionel first worries that his teacher and his parents will share secrets about him at Back-to-School Night and makes sure they never get a chance to talk. In the second chapter, the boy becomes a helpful friend to a new classmate, but cautions, "-if you want to try any mystery meat at lunch-You're on your own." In another episode, his older sister begins to ignore him at school, and Lionel decides that aliens must have taken over her brain. He and his friend Jeffrey use water guns to block the alien signals and jar her memory. In the final chapter, Lionel realizes that time passes much faster during recess than in the classroom and decides to do something about it. This solid addition to the series presents common childhood concerns with humor. Natti's colorful cartoons, rendered in pencil, colored pencils, and watercolor washes, depict a realistic school setting. An appealing title for independent readers or as a class read-aloud. Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.