Hazel Green, by Odo Hirsch, 2000

Hazel Green, the unofficial ruler of kid-dom in the Moodey Building, thinks that children should march once more in the Frogg Day parade. Her view is not unanimous, though, and even her allies prove irksome as their float-building project unfolds. Hazel is memorable; not your run-of-the-mill spunky girl heroine (though she certainly is that). Though the story tells the entirely plausible adventures of modern (sort of) children in a large urban apartment building, its echo is that of a fairy tale, with a nostalgic pang. Written with a true hand, the narrative shows glimmers of stylistic uniqueness that are refreshing and never overdone. Strongly recommended.