Latchkey Kid

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6 A self-help book for children who are alone after school that is unnecessary in collections holding Hautzig's Life with Working Parents (Macmillan, 1976) or In Charge: a Complete Handbook for Kids with Working Parents (Knopf, 1983) by Kyte. Both of the former provide chapters on cooking, with recipes, and cover more topics. Kleeberg provides information about how to handle situations such as being locked out, sickness or accidents and household emergencies such as an overflowing toilet . In a practical realistic fashion, she also deals with subjects such as afterschool snacks, schedules for homework and chores and suggestions for ways to combat loneliness and fear. The tone is upbeat and conversational, but occasionally a topic is belabored, which may turn off some readers. The small line drawing are humorous and illustrate points made in the text. Most children will not search out Latchkey Kid ; parents are more likely to show interest and share it with their children. Elise Wendel, Orchard Road School, Skillman, N.J.