Philip Hall Likes Me. I Reckon Maybe.

Beth Lambert thinks Philip Hall is the cutest, smartest boy in sixth grade. She and Philip are good friends, but Mama thinks Philip invites Beth over to his farm just to do his chores for him. Mama says he only hangs out with her when his other friends aren't around. Beth hasn't minded that Philip gets the best grades in the class, since he means so much to her. But now she wants to study to be a veterinarian, so she's gone to the head of the class. Philip isn't very happy about that. Was she really letting him beat her all along? They'll both learn something about themselves if she beats him in the 4-H calf-raising competition, but will their friendship survive?