SOLVED. Late 1990s juvenile fiction with a girl who's jealous of the pretty long-haired girl (new girl in school?) & cuts her hair. Cover had several girls, one with long red hair (iirc). [s]

[Stormy's Book Nest]

This has been driving me crazy for years. I read a juvenile fiction book back in the late 90s (I want to say between 1995-1998?) and can't remember what it's called; think like Baby Sitters Club in terms of length and content.

It was about a girl who gets jealous of the (new?) popular girl in school because she's pretty and has very long red/brunette hair. The popular girl is not mean or a bully, and is actually very nice. There's something about a multi-cultural performance or presentation the class is practicing for and the popular girl has a hair comb from Japan (I think her father got it for her? Was he military?). At some point, the MC gets so jealous she cuts off the popular girl's hair and eventually feels remorse for her actions. I think they end up being friends by the end.

I think the cover had several girls with the long-haired one in the foreground.

I remember this book because it was one my teacher at the time gave me to read because I was reading books beyond the rest of the class's reading level, so she found books she thought I'd like. It's been nearly 20 years, but I'd love to find this book again.

[Ashley]

Is it Who Needs Third Grade? ?

[Stormy's Book Nest]

@Ashley Yes! Omg thank you!!

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Stormy.

Who Needs Third Grade? (book 1) of the Tales from the Third Grade series by Candice Ransom - Ashley's find.

[Ashley]

You’re welcome =)