Reading: THE INFAMOUS RATSOS: PROJECT FLUFFY - Kara LaReau (writer) & Matt Myers (illustrator)

Book three in the adventures of Ralphie Ratso and his older brother Louie opens up their world for readers to learn more about their friends and school, where a poetry contest has caught Louie's interest; he and Ralphie will write and enter a poem together, and use the winning gift certificates to get a pair of new skateboards! Complications ensue when the school's handsome, most popular jock, Chuck Wood, comes to Louie with a problem: he has become smitten with Louie's friend Fluffy - a highly-intelligent rabbit obsessed with gardening - and seeks Louie's help to win her heart. Project Fluffy doesn't get off to the best start, however; worse still, it gets in the way of the brother-bonding time Ralphie has become so accustomed to. Meanwhile, viewers are treated to more humor and heart from the brothers' other school chums (Tiny and Millicent, especially, are personal favorites) ... in the end, as always, with papa Ratso Big Lou offering insight to get things back on track. Project Fluffy is the most well-rounded of the series, expanding the characters and relationships between them while keeping the strong bond of the two brothers at its core - and, as always delivering positive messages about friendship and family tucked neatly inside a genuinely entertaining story. 5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.