JULIUS, THE BABY OF THE WORLD

Lilly is the best big sister in the world--that is, until younger brother Julius actually arrives. Then Lilly is not so impressed. "If he were a number, he'd be zero" is how she puts it. Laura Hamilton does a good job with Henkes's astute story of the displaced older sibling, and her characterization of Lilly is appropriately edgy. Lilly isn't kidding around about the indignation she feels, and she uses the word "hate" liberally and with great vigor. But Hamilton's Lilly is also funny and entertaining, which is enough to keep some light in the story until the end, when Lilly experiences a change of heart. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]