Three straight lines are all best friends. One line decides that he is tired of being straight so, he begins bouncing, twirling, and bending. His friends plead with him to stay in a straight line, and when he does not the lines abandon him. The unique line then becomes a star. His straight line friends then claim that the friend, that they were too embarrassed to be friends with, is their best friend. The illustrations are bright and vibrant and reminiscent of a cartoon. Mem Fox teaches us a valuable lesson in this simplistic story about lines. It is not only okay to be different, but when you embrace it you will shine. This book boosts confidence and self-esteem in the youngest of readers. I also think that this can be a great book to provide an interdisciplinary connection with math class. It can be adapted as a great introductory lesson to lines and their attributes. ( )

A straight line has two other straight line best friends. The first straight line decides he doesn't want to be straight anymore and changes his form. His two friends recommend that he stay straight because people will stare. In the end he becomes a famous movie star for being different and they all go back to being best friends.

Any child who feels like he or she is different than others can benefit from this book. They are told that it's okay to be different (or in the case of a gay person, to not be "straight", though that's a bit literal!), and in fact your differences can be appreciated by others when you let it show. Being somewhat abstract, by using "lines" instead of people, lets kids focus on the concept of same/different without the emotionally charged connection with actual people. I liked it.