A Tree Grows In Brooklyn,
And We Can Use It for Paper

I was thrilled to see Elissa Schappell, one of the friendlest authors I know, reviewing children's books set in Brooklyn for the NYTBR. It certainly more than made up for the disappointing My Life index created by Christopher Buckley for the last page, which relies too heavily on easy jokes like the wretchedness of Maya Angelou's inaugural poem. I will admit, however, to getting a good chuckle out of:

Gore, Albert
Calls BC ''greatest president since Washington,'' 467
Calls BC ''greatest president since Lincoln,'' 478
Calls BC ''greatest president since FDR,'' 789
Distances self from BC in 2000 campaign; loses, 935