Jordie was in second grade when his best friend Neil, got a computer. Now Jordie wants one. He tries to plan a way to get his mom to agree to purchase one. He would have asked his dad, but his dad was killed in a car accident when he was a baby. So Jordie tries to sweet talk his mom. He compliments her on the dinner, and even offers to do the dishes. Suspicious, his mom manages to find out the real reason for Jordie’s sudden spurt of helpfulness. When he explains to his mom about Neil’s computer, she tells him it is not about money. It is because she doesn’t know anything about computers. Jordie’s hopes are dashed—until he talks to his teacher, Mr. Jenkins, and finds out Mr. Jenkins is a widower. Besides that, Mr. Jenkins knows a lot about computers. Jordie comes up with a really great idea, and decides to put his plan into motion. Luckily, his mom has to go to the school to meet his teacher. Will Jordie’s plan work? Will he get a new computer, and a new dad in the process?

Junior Matchmaker was a really cute story. Jordie was adorable. I could picture his face deep in concentration when he works out ways to convince his mom he needs a computer. What mom wouldn’t get suspicious if their young son suddenly offers to do dishes, or when he tells her to wear the pretty blue sweater to the school meeting? This short story moved along quickly, and could have been fleshed out into a much longer piece, maybe even into a book. Susan Lyons did a great job putting this story into Jordie's perspective.

Reviewed by: Chris P.