Elisa, the younger sister of Hurwitz's popular character, Russell, is in the middle now that she has a baby brother. This beginning chapter book chronicles her Ramona-like adventures. In one chapter, when Russell needs to catch up with his schoolwork, Elisa pours ketchup on his papers in a misguided effort to help. She also cleans the fish tank with bubble bath, killing the fish. But she does some things right, like letting the baby borrow her most important possession, her rag doll. Pleasant and amusing, this should delight kids who want to visit more with Russell's family. To be illustrated with drawings by Lillian Hoban. Ilene Cooper