Mitchell’s family moves to a new town, and the Zigzag School offers an after-school and Saturday enrichment program, including nature trips (Habib gets poison ivy), Mitchell works on his writing homework, and his little sister Angel develops her already active imagination, and they are all Number One. ( )

In this first book in the Zigzag Kids series, Mitchell -- a new student at the Zigzag School -- wears his “I’m #1”t-shirt but worries that he is not number one at anything and will not get a prize when prize day rolls around. Little does he know, however, the surprises that await him come prize day. Young readers transitioning to chapter books will be able to relate to this book’s familiar themes of school, friendships, trying to fit in, and sibling relationships. They will also be drawn in by this book’s short, simple sentences, brief chapters, and frequent illustrations – all of which combine to make the book fast moving and entertaining. One slight criticism of the book is that, at times, the action moves too fast and the characters change too quickly, giving the book a kind of disjointed feeling. Young readers may appreciate this though because there is little time to become bored with anything in particular. This book is particularly recommended to help young readers who are new to something or may feel out of place in one situation understand the importance of having confidence in oneself. ( )

Patricia Reilly Giff has written many children's books, including the Kids of the Polk Street School. Four of her books for young adults have been chosen as ALA-YALSA Best books. Rhw Zig zag School is peopled with diverse students -- several races and ethnicities. Mitchell's first best friend is Habib. ( )