The Eighteenth Emergency

by Betsy Byars

When the toughest boy in school swears to kill him, twelve year-old Mouse finds little help from friends and must prepare for this emergency alone.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, School

128 pages, Hardcover

Published January 21, 1992

About the author

Betsy Byars was an American author of children's books. She wrote over sixty books for young people. Her first novel was published in 1962. Her novel Summer of the Swans won the 1971 Newbery Medal. She also received a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for The Night Swimmers and an Edgar Award for Wanted ... Mud Blossom!!

Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.

Reviews

[Rebecca Farren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I ever read in secondary school! I found it pretty boring what with being forced to read it but it tackled the issue of bullying and how it can make victims feel well.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Betsy Byars? One of them anyway! Benjie, commonly known as "Mouse" is prepared for all types of jungle emergencies but has no idea how to deal with a threat from Marv Hammerman, biggest boy in the school.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book at all. I found the plot slow and uninteresting. I don't think this book would capture children's interest or encourage them to read for pleasure. The characterisation was weak and I just didn't feel motivated to read it.

[Miss Ratatootee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always hate it when parents are not sensitive enough to take care of their children. That is why, children are not strong enough to open up to them because they think they couldn't trust them.

This is called Eighteenth Emergency because he and his best bud always do have something to do when small emergency happens but in a weirdest way to handle it. Like for example, if you see a crocodile, one must do what the movie does like putting a stick on its mouth.

The Eighteenth Emergency is the newest to form because they didn't know what to do when the bully heard the guy told him something about him that made him angry.

When the beating happened, no one was there to fight but him. 3 against one. This is what I learned after reading it, when something happens, you always have you. No one else but you.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because it was included in the book "1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up."

Betsy Byars definitely has a unique writing style for juvenile fiction. She seems to use more similes and metaphors than you often get in these smaller chapter books.

This book follows a boy named Mouse who lives with his mother in an apartment and he's made the mistake of insulting a large school bully. Initially, he tries to convince others and himself that he's being targeted for no reason. Later in the story, he admits that he hurt the guys feelings.

There are a few other moments of insight too- when he plays checkers with an elderly neighbor for instance.

This book only covers a few days in this kid's life. It's simple, but not completely simplistic.

I probably should give it four stars, but, it just wasn't my kind of story.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5 stars.

[Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a very good book

[Jo Beale]

1980 for readers of 9 or more - Dan or Rachel?