Everybody Needs a Buddy

This book is part of The Big Idea Gang series, which are stories about kids thinking up ways to help their school and neighborhood. In Everybody Needs a Buddy, the gang of kids gets excited about a rumor that the PTA has surplus funds. All the kids come up with ideas to spend the money; Connor wants a rocket ship for the playground, and Milo wants a new basketball court. But one day Deon sees a lonely kid on the playground. He wants to help, but he doesn’t know how. Deon talks about wanting to make friends with Dinesh, the new boy, when Lizzy asks whether he’s ever heard of a buddy bench. So the Big Idea Gang decides to research their idea and ask the PTA for a buddy bench, which is a brightly-colored bench with handprints on it. If you sit down on it and wait, someone will come sit down next to you to be your buddy.

This book tells a story about kids working together to help each other. They get an idea, do research in the library, and make a pitch to their parents and teachers. The Big Idea Gang is a good role model, and it’s fun to read too.