MARGARET IN THE MIDDLE Bernice Thurman Hunter. Richmond Hill, ON: Scholastic-TAB, 1986. 149pp., paper, $3.50. ISBN 0-590-71681-6. CIP. Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11 Reviewed by Pauline Henaut. Volume 15 Number 2 1987 March Bernice Thurman Hunter, author of the Booky books, has written a sequel to A Place for Margaret ¹. In 1927, thirteen-year-old Margaret is thoroughly involved in life on the farm in Ontario, where she lives with her aunt and uncle. Young readers will easily identify with Margaret, a believable character who experiences many of the joys and sorrows common to her age group, regardless of the decade. A plain child, she is alarmed to discover that she is jealous of her prettier sister who comes to visit. Margaret's love of animals, particularly her Clydesdale, Starr, encourages her to begin planning for a veterinary career. Margaret has a warm, loving relationship with her aunt and uncle, with whom she has chosen to live. However, like her peers, she does not always obey their direction completely; as a result of an incident of disobedience, Margaret breaks her leg badly and must go to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. She goes to her parents' new home in the city to recuperate, where she finds herself "in the middle," enjoying her family and new surroundings, yet missing her life on the farm. In addition to its engaging characters and interesting plot, the book provides visual appeal with its attractive cover and easily readable print. The story will be popular with fans of Bernice Hunter's previous novels, and with readers who are horse-lovers or who like a realistic story about their peers. Pauline Henaut, New Glasgow Schools, New Glasgow, NS. ¹ Reviewed vol Xlll/4 July 1985, p.l79.