19) Philip Hall likes me. I reckon maybe. by Bette Greene

Greene, Bette. Philip Hall likes me. I reckon maybe. Illustrated by Charles Lilly. 135 pages. ISBN: 0-440-45755-6.

Subject: African Americans, Romance, South, Adolescence

Ages: 11 and up

Plot: In Pocahontas, Arkansas an eleven-year-old girl named Elizabeth Lambert (Beth) has developed a crush on one of her classmates, Philip Hall. Philip is the cutest and smartest boy in the class, but he is not interested in girls in a romantic way. Beth tries anything to get Philip to like her, even by letting him be the best student in class. At first, the fact that Philip beats her in classwork does not bother her. Later, Beth realizes that she was letting Philip beat her in everything because she likes him. Beth's Pa tells her that she does not have to be second-best in arithmetic, spelling,  sports, or the second best reader in school (J.T. Williams School). Beth had to juggle striving to be the best student without upsetting her crush. They continue to compete for leadership and excellence, but Beth ends up winning in the end and they become friends.

Review: This is a romantic story between two sixth-graders in a love-hate relationship. Somehow romance is identified as rivalry between Beth and Philip in competition to be the best in school. Many tween girls start developing crushes on boys, before boys are interested in girls. The book shows how girls chase boys and how boys are not ready for the romantic relationship. The language of the text is set to Southern dialect (chilluns, polecat), so it may be confusing to young readers, however, it keeps the characters believable, and girls can relate to Beth. The black and white illustrations of scenes from the story bring the characters and the setting to life.

Book-a-Like: Anne of Green Gables (competitive in academics between two classmates who like each other)

Awards: Newbery Honor