The Show-and-Tell War Author:Janice Lee Smith Grade 1-4 Adam Joshua returns in his third book to deal with the frustrations of life for a primary grade youngster. Smith again succeeds in creating situations with which the book's intended readers can identify. First he faces the gnawing anxiety of returning to school in September after failing to accomplish all the things on his list of ``th... more »ings to do during the summer.'' He worries at school that his little sister will replace him as his dog's most important companion. Tension between Adam Joshua and Elliot Banks, his arch-enemy, escalates as they try to outdo each at show and tell. The stories have humor and warmth. Adam Joshua's close and lasting friendship with Nelson provides security and a sense of belonging. Gackenbach's black-and-white illustrations graphically animate the stories. A totally enjoyable book for young readers. Five stories relate the adventures and misadventures of Adam Joshua as he contends with the first day of school, pretending to be sick, stealing a library book, making the scariest Halloween costume, and being upstaged at show-and-tell time.« less