Humor isn’t lost in this translation of a novel from Spain about Manolito García Moreno—aka Manolito Four-Eyes—a one-of-a-kind young narrator. The voice of ten-year-old Manolito is big and bold, and he spares no details as he tells it like he sees it. From the tiny apartment where he lives with his parents, his baby brother “Bozo” (Manolito claims that he forgot his real name), and his grandpa, Manolito complains about his mother’s unnecessary rules while at the same time relating tender moments with his beloved grandpa (who is a “whole lotta cool”). At school, glimpses are shown of Manolito’s up-and-down relationship with his best friend, “Big Ears,” his strategies for dealing with his tormentor Ozzy, and the perils of field trips and costumed performances with Miss Asuncíon. While Manolito declares that he would give up his life in the Madrid neighborhood of Carabanchel to claim the throne of a king, it’s clear that despite his rants he is perfectly content as the prince of his own realm. A great classroom read-aloud, this spunky novel also features occasional line and brush illustrations. (Ages 8–11)

Manolito likes his nickname, Four-Eyes, as only the cool kids have nicknames. He lives in a blue-collar suburb of Madrid with his parents, his grandfather, and his younger brother, “the Bozo” (7). His entertaining misad ventures often involve his eccentric grandfather, whom Manolito describes as a “whole lotta cool” (7). Urberuaga’s illustrations are a perfect match for these amusing tales. Two sequels are available: Manolito Four-Eyes: The Sec ond Volume of the Great Encyclopedia of My Life and Manolito Four-Eyes: The Third Volume of the Great Encyclopedia of My Life. Author has received Spain’s National Children’s Book Award. pwc

Originally published as Manolito Gafotas in Spanish by Grupo Santillana de Ediciones Spain, in 1994. Translated by Joanne Moriarty.