The New Kid Has Fleas by Ame Dyckman (review)

Our young narrator isn't so sure about the new kid, who howls and pounces around like an animal, and who's disdained by popular classmate Molly, who thinks the new girl has fleas. Paired up with her for a class assignment, however, our kiddo heads to her place to work and finds himself in a literal den of wolves, mostly adorable wolf cubs. Fortunately, running with the pack turns out to be pretty cool, and though things are a bit different at the new kid's place, the narrator can't wait to get to school and tell Molly all about it—but Molly is apparently at home with a case of lice. While the "don't judge a book by its cover" message comes through loud and clear, the text itself is never overtly directive; and the narrator will be relatable to many kids in the middle of the school hierarchy, as he's sympathetic to the new kid's situation but initially unwilling to risk the cool kid's wrath. Elementary school milieus are perfectly captured in the lively art, as orderly desks give way to chaotic gym class and playground busyness, all with queen bee Molly on scene somewhere to cast judgment; the sunny tones of schooldays contrast nicely with the hues of blue and gray that run through the new friends' nocturnal wolfy fun. This could be useful to have on hand for the first few days of school as kids settle in to new places or as just a whimsical readaloud about unexpected friendship.