cover image The Pizza Monster

The Pizza Monster

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, $12.95 (48pp) ISBN 978-0-385-29722-6

This inaugural title in the Olivia Sharp, Agent for Secrets series is told in the first person by a slightly daffy rich kid. Olivia has a chauffeur, a housekeeper, three telephones and two bedrooms: ``One to be myself in and one to be a special agent in.'' Because she's lonely (but believes she can't tell anyone) Olivia figures other people have secret problems, too, and she goes into business to discover them. Her first case involves friendship and is resolved happily once she learns that ``sometimes money can solve problems. But sometimes it can't.'' Although not as funny as Sheila Greenwald's Rosy Cole books, which are aimed at the same audience, this attractively designed, easy-to-read title will undoubtedly garner its own fans. Ages 7-9. (May)