2nd to 5th grade. In the tradition of high quality books and characters in the American Girl book series, Lisa Yee writes her second Kanani book to be as strong as the first. In a Good Job, Kanani, Yee draws yet again a portrait of a resourceful girl who can problem solve through her own problems and as well community ones. In a Good Job, Kanani, Kanani wants to continue to help protect the local endangered monk seals. So she recruits her friend Celina to sell shave ice as a summer fund raising activity. They plan to use the proceeds to create posters to help educate visitors about protecting monk seals. But when Celina finds herself more drawn to deepening her surfing talent, Kanani must learn how to navigate friendship when your best friend wants to an activity that you don't. Well written and easy to identify with, a Good Job, Kanani is a book that will inspire readers that they can too can work through their own problems as well as well as help their communities and environment. Like all the American Girl books, it is highly recommended to public and elementary libraries. Lisa Yee is a strong writer and making valuable literary additions about Asians and Native Americans to the mainstream. ( )

Kanani is determined to save the monk seals, but her best friend Celina is only determined to become a surfing champion. Kanani hates surfing and isn't any good at it, and becomes resentful when Celina makes a new friend to surf with. Kanani and Celina end up not talking, and Kanani spends time helping many of her elderly friends on the island while she misses her best friend. Finally she and Celina realize how wrong they were about each other. ( )