Graff, K. (2011). The other Felix. New York: Macmillan/Roaring Brook. 169 pp. ISBN 978-1-59643-655-8. (Hardcover); $16.99.

While I introduced this set of reviews by talking about elephants, it would have been equally acceptable to talk about the books that feature monsters and dreams (see reviews for A Monster Calls and Everybody Sees the Ants for example). Felix is terrorized by nightmares of monsters with sharp claws and horrible breath. These nightmares paralyze Felix until he meets an identical Felix—same orange hair, same fair skin, same size, and even the same tuft of hair sticking up from the back of his head. This Felix knows how to fight the monsters and maybe this Felix will teach him how to confront Chase, a real life monster—although in real life, we call them bullies. Just when Felix begins to understand how he might be successful in his real life, the other Felix begins turning somewhat monsterish himself. Graff provides young middle school readers with a foothold for understanding that bullying often is the result of ignorance and a lack of empathy. The story is all the richer because Graff has a good sense for the real priorities of many young boys. Purchase this one for both elementary and middle school libraries. The Other Felix is a good one to pair with Playground.