Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Stern, rigid Eugenia and her sweet sister Baby are back for a fourth transitional-reader adventure, in which Eugenia mysteriously receives an accordion in the mail. When her various schemes for getting rid of the "frivolous" instrument are foiled, Eugenia finally unbends enough to experience the satisfaction of making music. The writing is as lively as ever, as are the frequent black-and-white illustrations. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Mercy Watson's neighbors, the Lincoln Sisters of 52 Deckawoo Drive, return in their second adventure, and now it's elder sister Eugenia's turn in the spotlight.Eugenia Lincoln is a sensible, no-nonsense, practical person. She does not have time for "poetry, geegaws, whoop-de-whoops, or frivolity," and she definitely does not have time for oversize, unexpected packages. However, someone has sent Eugenia just that. It's an accordion, and it has to goshe can't think of anything more "frivolous, more geegaw-esque, more whoop-de-whoop-ish than an accordion." The Blizzintrap Schmocker Company won't take it back, so she makes a list of the choices before her: sell it, destroy it, or give it away. Can Eugenia be convinced to keep itand that maybe there is music in her heart? Artwork shows what the text doesn't: elderly Eugenia's younger sister, "Baby," is also an old white woman, and neighborhood kids Frank and Stella are black. The text is peppered with tough vocabulary for the more advanced independent readers in the intended age group, but the story also works well as a bedtime read-aloud for those not ready to tackle words and phrases such as "malevolent," "obtuse," or "diametrically opposed" on their own. Eugenia's need for routine and her intolerance of change and uncertainty will resonate with readers who experience life similarly. (Fiction. 6-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.