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Miss Nelson #2
Miss Nelson Is Back
In this sequel to Miss Nelson is Missing, the scheming kids in Room 207 are in for a big surprise from the scariest substitute around: Miss Viola Swamp. Includes bonus downloadable audio.
When their teacher has to go away for a week, Miss Nelson's kids are excited to "really act up." But when the principal ends up being the most boring substitute teacher ever, they hatch a plan to turn their week from dull to delightful. Will they be able to trick Mr. Blandsworth and avoid ending up with The Swamp?
When their teacher has to go away for a week, Miss Nelson's kids are excited to "really act up." But when the principal ends up being the most boring substitute teacher ever, they hatch a plan to turn their week from dull to delightful. Will they be able to trick Mr. Blandsworth and avoid ending up with The Swamp?
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
46 people are currently reading
3320 people want to read
About the author
Harry Allard
38 books84 followersHarry Allard was an American writer of children's books. Many of his books have received awards; a few have also been banned and challenged in the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
December 2, 2019
Just when the kids think they've finally gotten a day to themselves, The Swamp makes an appearance. Lessons learned: Miss Nelson is a pretty great teacher and The Swamp is always watching!
November 15, 2015
To check out all my reviews: http://dancinginth3dark.blogspot.com
True Rating: 3.5 Stars
After reading Miss Nelson is Missing! I was extremely excited to get back into this classic children's story and I found it rather disappointing! I didn't hate the story but I felt meh during the entire time and the story was extremely short without much action compare to the original. Whenever books are meh to me it is very hard to rate it because it is definitely not 5 stars material and yet 3 stars to me means the book was whatever, boring, and leaning toward dislike.
Miss Nelson in this story is going to get her tonsils out so she will be out for the week. You may think that this the same kids in the first book but based on the narration it is actually a year later because while the kids are having a conversation about the havoc they will create while Miss Nelson is gone, the older kids tell them that beware of Miss Viola Swamp because she is a witch and a horrific substitute teacher who will rain on their parade.
The kids are scared now for Miss Swamp but luckily come Monday, they find out that it is the principal who is in charge of the classroom. Immediately he is a pushover and easily to manipulate and some of the students decide to wear a mask and personate Miss Nelson so that way they can skip school and surprisingly they are successful. Unfortunately for them Miss Nelson saw them walking near her house and she decides to put fear into this children.
The next day Miss Viola Swamp walks in and scares the living daylights out of the kids. They regret their actions and she told them that she knows that disguise them as Miss Nelson and force them to never ever do that because Miss Viola Swamp has eyes everywhere.
The illustrations were exactly the same which wasn't a problem but I thought they were going to bring some characters back to solve who is Miss Viola Swamp and what happens when Miss Nelson disappear which didn't happen in the end. The dialogue was too predictable and even if I were a child I would have disliked it because I didn't feel the fun and passionate side towards the making of this book. I felt like they wrote this classic in order for the authors to make extra cash on being a bestseller.
For the most part I would say that pretend that this book never existed because the final book went back to the root of the story and provided the reasons why countless children and adults love Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp.
True Rating: 3.5 Stars
After reading Miss Nelson is Missing! I was extremely excited to get back into this classic children's story and I found it rather disappointing! I didn't hate the story but I felt meh during the entire time and the story was extremely short without much action compare to the original. Whenever books are meh to me it is very hard to rate it because it is definitely not 5 stars material and yet 3 stars to me means the book was whatever, boring, and leaning toward dislike.
Miss Nelson in this story is going to get her tonsils out so she will be out for the week. You may think that this the same kids in the first book but based on the narration it is actually a year later because while the kids are having a conversation about the havoc they will create while Miss Nelson is gone, the older kids tell them that beware of Miss Viola Swamp because she is a witch and a horrific substitute teacher who will rain on their parade.
The kids are scared now for Miss Swamp but luckily come Monday, they find out that it is the principal who is in charge of the classroom. Immediately he is a pushover and easily to manipulate and some of the students decide to wear a mask and personate Miss Nelson so that way they can skip school and surprisingly they are successful. Unfortunately for them Miss Nelson saw them walking near her house and she decides to put fear into this children.
The next day Miss Viola Swamp walks in and scares the living daylights out of the kids. They regret their actions and she told them that she knows that disguise them as Miss Nelson and force them to never ever do that because Miss Viola Swamp has eyes everywhere.
The illustrations were exactly the same which wasn't a problem but I thought they were going to bring some characters back to solve who is Miss Viola Swamp and what happens when Miss Nelson disappear which didn't happen in the end. The dialogue was too predictable and even if I were a child I would have disliked it because I didn't feel the fun and passionate side towards the making of this book. I felt like they wrote this classic in order for the authors to make extra cash on being a bestseller.
For the most part I would say that pretend that this book never existed because the final book went back to the root of the story and provided the reasons why countless children and adults love Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp.
January 8, 2019
Sweet Miss Nelson has a new class of students in Room 207, but like their predecessors in
Miss Nelson Is Missing!
, they have a talent for trouble, and like to test the boundaries a bit! When Miss Nelson must miss a week of school, after having her tonsils out, the children at first imagine that this will give them the perfect opportunity to act up. Then they hear the stories of scary substitute teacher Miss Viola Swamp, who appeared the last time Miss Nelson was missing. But will even that threat be enough to dissuade them from misbehaving, when boring Principal Blandsworth turns out to be their substitute instead?
This humorous second adventure to feature Miss Nelson and her surly counterpart, Miss Swamp, is just as fun as the first, with twice as many devious disguises! Students and teacher both get in on the act (with an interesting double-disguise at one point) in Allard's droll narrative, which is perfectly matched by James Marshall's zany illustrations. The style here is rather cartoon-like - fans of the artist's George and Martha books will know what to expect - and works very well with the over-the-top story. All in all, Miss Nelson Is Back is a most engaging follow-up to the initial Miss Nelson adventure, and more than enough to convince me to pick up the third, Miss Nelson Has a Field Day !
This humorous second adventure to feature Miss Nelson and her surly counterpart, Miss Swamp, is just as fun as the first, with twice as many devious disguises! Students and teacher both get in on the act (with an interesting double-disguise at one point) in Allard's droll narrative, which is perfectly matched by James Marshall's zany illustrations. The style here is rather cartoon-like - fans of the artist's George and Martha books will know what to expect - and works very well with the over-the-top story. All in all, Miss Nelson Is Back is a most engaging follow-up to the initial Miss Nelson adventure, and more than enough to convince me to pick up the third, Miss Nelson Has a Field Day !
July 21, 2021
I feel like I might have a more favorable stance on this book if I had enjoyed it as a child, but I actually found it really frightening when I was young. I'm given to understand now that it's supposed to be very obvious that Miss Nelson has dressed up as the scary Viola Swamp, but I definitely didn't get that until I'd already been frightened by the book several times and I'm not even sure it would have improved things if I had known. Revisiting it as an adult, even though I do now know what's going on in the book, I think I still don't like it. It feels weirdly misogynistic to have a conventionally-beautiful young blonde woman dress up as an older, dark-haired, "ugly" woman in order to scare children into behaving. I can see why this was popular back in the early '80s, but I wouldn't recommend it now.
cw: teacher using fear to modify student behavior
cw: teacher using fear to modify student behavior
May 19, 2011
Miss Nelson Is Back by Harry G. Allard, illustrated by James Marshall is the sequel to the wildly popular Miss Nelson Is Missing. When Miss Nelson is sick, the kids in Room 207 at first fear who their substitute will be, then become bored and once again "act up." The kids finally meet their match.
The text by Allard is witty, funny and imaginative. It continues the humor of the first book. Another chapter is added to the legend of Viola Swamp.
The illustrations by Harry Allard are hilarious. Allard uses mainly green, red, yellow, white, and black colors to good advantage. Both children and adults will enjoy the many expressions of the children and notice details not mentioned in the text. The slides of Mr. Blandsworth's goldfish cracked me up.
The (mis)behavior of the children shows that there are consequences to ones actions. There are ample oportunities to do funny voices in a read-aloud. This can also be read independently.
For ages 4 to 7, read-aloud, teachers, school stories, behavior, humor, and fans of Miss Nelson, Viola Swamp, Harry Allard and James Mrshall.
The text by Allard is witty, funny and imaginative. It continues the humor of the first book. Another chapter is added to the legend of Viola Swamp.
The illustrations by Harry Allard are hilarious. Allard uses mainly green, red, yellow, white, and black colors to good advantage. Both children and adults will enjoy the many expressions of the children and notice details not mentioned in the text. The slides of Mr. Blandsworth's goldfish cracked me up.
The (mis)behavior of the children shows that there are consequences to ones actions. There are ample oportunities to do funny voices in a read-aloud. This can also be read independently.
For ages 4 to 7, read-aloud, teachers, school stories, behavior, humor, and fans of Miss Nelson, Viola Swamp, Harry Allard and James Mrshall.
March 3, 2021
Miss Nelson is Back is a great sequel story to Mss Nelson is Missing. I remember reading these books as a kid and loving them. They still have the same charm they did when I was a child. This story takes place very much the same way as the first book. Miss Nelson is away because she getting her tonsils removed, and of course her class is not happy she is gone. The principle ends up taking over the class for the week, and he makes their lives seemingly, very boring. So they make a plan to trick the principle into thinking Miss Nelson is back when she is not. And of course Viola Swamp makes another appearance later on…I wont say more then that.
You will have to just read the book! Miss Nelson is Back is again another great read. Its funny and completely impossible some of the things that happen but still a very enjoyable read. And it brings up some good points about misbehaving, and being thankful for what we have, because it can always be much worse…especially when Viola Swamp is involved.
You will have to just read the book! Miss Nelson is Back is again another great read. Its funny and completely impossible some of the things that happen but still a very enjoyable read. And it brings up some good points about misbehaving, and being thankful for what we have, because it can always be much worse…especially when Viola Swamp is involved.
March 20, 2013
Miss Nelson has a new class this year, but just as before, they have a knack for getting in trouble. After they are informed Viola Swamp was the substitute teacher last time, and she was mean, they are still not derailed from their plan of misbehavior during the time Miss Nelson is going to be out. To their suprise, the principal is their subsitiute, and he is awful boring! This time, the children are the ones to play dress up, not like Viola Swamp, but Miss Nelson so they can convince the principal she is back and he can leave..this would have worked out..EXCEPT...Viola Swamp shows her ugly head, again!
February 16, 2010
This story tells of when Miss Nelson has to have her tonsils removed. Her mischievous class takes advantage of their substitute teacher, Mr. Blandsworth. It takes Miss Nelson's ultra-ego Viola Swamp to get those bratty kids back in line in this humorous tale of mistaken identity. James Marshall's illustrations add to the fun with the images of the students reaction to Viola's demands. Grade 3-5 would enjoy this story and teachers would love the point of view, comprehension, and writing opportunities that this story ignites. It a good read and laugh all together.
March 19, 2011
Wow... a great sequel to Miss Nelson in Missing! In this book, Miss Nelson tells her class that she has to be out of school for a week for a tonsil operation. The students fear they will get mean, old Viola Swamp as a teacher, but to their surprise they get the nicer Mr. Wardsworth and take advantage of them. When Miss Nelson hears about their behavior, she has no other choice but as to dress up as Viola Swamp to be the "mean" teacher to the class. This book will make students laugh, as well as appreciate their "nice" teachers and behavior!
November 22, 2012
While not as good as the other books in the series this still has some good laughs. Not only is Miss Nelson back but The Swamp is too. If you haven't read these just know that James Marshall is one of the finest illustrators and Allard has a groovy writing style that keeps his ridiculous plots down-to-Earth and entertaining adults and children alike.
August 9, 2015
This is the sequel to the book Miss Nelson is Missing! It's a new year and the kids in Miss Nelson's class don't know about Miss Viola Swamp. Miss Nelson has to take time off to have her tonsils out. The kids are bored with Mr. Blandsworth, the principal who is substituting for her. They trick him into thinking Miss Nelson has returned and he leaves the kids to their own devices. When Miss Nelson realizes what's happening, Miss Viola Swamp pays the naughty kids a visit! It's a silly book, but younger kids get a kick out of it.
February 24, 2011
All of the Miss Nelson books are so funny, because they are exactly what kids would do in the situations James Marshall describes! I could just see my first graders sneaking off to the movies after impersonating their teacher! The wonder and fear around Viola Swamp is hilarious and it always reminds me of that one teacher that scared me enough to make me sit totally still and straight in my seat. Definitely a cute story for this series.
August 19, 2014
The kids in Miss Nelson's class are thrilled when she says she'll be away for a few days after getting her tonsils out. They think that the sub will be a push over, unfortunately for them, the sub isn't exactly who they were expecting!
Another fun story of Ms. Nelson, Viola Swamp and the class, with some crazy plots that classes wish they could get away with and teachers wish they could pull!
No content issues.
September 10, 2017
I love the Miss Nelson books...but this one just fell short for me. There was no amazing ending in this like there was in Miss Nelson is Missing when she reveals in her room that she was Viola Swamp. It just lost the "zing" for me. However, I do still love the stories that Harry Allard has come up with for Miss Nelson.
January 6, 2022
Another Miss Nelson/Violet Swamp book.
This one was pretty amusing. I quite liked Mr. Blandsworth, who is bland, boring, and bumbling all at the same time. His name suits him. You didn't see that his name suited him in the other books, but you did in this one.
The kids piling on top of each other to mimic Miss Nelson was hilarious.
I enjoyed it.
Story: Narrative
Art: Okay
Price: $7.99
This one was pretty amusing. I quite liked Mr. Blandsworth, who is bland, boring, and bumbling all at the same time. His name suits him. You didn't see that his name suited him in the other books, but you did in this one.
The kids piling on top of each other to mimic Miss Nelson was hilarious.
I enjoyed it.
Story: Narrative
Art: Okay
Price: $7.99
March 29, 2016
3.5 stars. Good story but when reading at the library, the kids wondered where the kids had the movie for the movies, ice cream, etc. Also, many of them did not like the artwork. But they all enjoyed the story!
July 20, 2016
LOVED these books growing up.
August 28, 2017
I loved these books when I was little. I think they are still relevant and funny.
October 6, 2020
This sequel lives up to the first book in delight. I wondered how the saga of teacher's struggle to teach her elementary class good behavior would continue. This story is as fun as the first.
February 5, 2022
I like this one!
My four year old is terrified of Miss Viola Swamp.
My four year old is terrified of Miss Viola Swamp.
June 27, 2019
Loved it!
Read
March 2, 2024MN is Back for Reading Rainbow discussion.
February 14, 2018
Miss Nelson has to be out because she is getting her tonsils removed. She explains how she expects them to behave, will they? No, they didn't until Miss Swamp showed up. Before then, they had Mr. Blandsworth, the boring principal, as a substitute. The kids weren't impressed with him so they decided to impersonate Miss Nelson to get him to leave. It worked! The kids had the day of their life until they walked by Miss Nelson's house on their way back to school. She decided to call and let the principal know but they knew they did wrong when Miss Swamp showed up. She was so mean that the kids wished they hadn't gotten rid of Mr. Blandsworth. Luckily, Miss Nelson came back just in time. I thought the storyline was fun and relatable. Kids think that they can do anything in the world when their actual teacher leaves the room. However, I did think it was bit unrealistic. The principal was awfully gullible to believe Miss Nelson was back, who looked nothing like the real teacher. In addition, the principal (who should want kids to learn) did not over any curriculum with the students. He attempted to entertain them in goofy ways over the course of the week. The pictures were cartoons and showed no diversity. The pictures were colorful and were filled with many details that a classroom would have. They looked as if they were colored with crayons and drawn with pencils. This helps children realize that they are capable of writing and drawing stories. The highlighted black and white doors added intensity to the story, who could be behind that door? As a reader, I hoped it was anyone but Miss Swamp!
April 19, 2020
Ah, who doesn’t love a book about rebellious students that want nothing more then to have a week off from school. When I was little, I never really understood the book to the level that I do know. As a kid, I only thought about how I might get an angry sub like this one day and I need to make sure I am thankful for who I have as a teacher. Now that I am older, I realize that there was no sub at all. Mrs. Swamp is just Miss. Nelson but all dressed up and ready to scare the class straight. It makes sense to me now that she new how to get the class working so well. I find it interesting that this is obviously a strategy she has had to use before. We see this because one of the older kids already knew what to expect. This makes us infer that the older student was a part of Miss. Nelsons past class. What I find interesting is, if she has done this before to whip her students into shape, is she really getting surgery, or is this just some scheme the school put together to scare classes who are acting up.
August 30, 2017
Child me: 5 stars
Adult me: 5 stars
*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*
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I love, loved this book as a child. I remember reading it during the toddler years (or it being read to me) and also reading it myself several times after I was able to read on my own. I'm an adult now, but picture books still have a soft spot for me and I really love the artwork!
Adult me: 5 stars
*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*
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I love, loved this book as a child. I remember reading it during the toddler years (or it being read to me) and also reading it myself several times after I was able to read on my own. I'm an adult now, but picture books still have a soft spot for me and I really love the artwork!
April 29, 2025
it’s good but i thought it was boring. definitely not as good as miss nelson is missing.
October 4, 2018
Miss Nelson, the teacher of class 207, has to leave her class in the hands of the principal for a week. The students devise a plan and trick the principal into thinking Miss Nelson has come back early. When their plan is discovered, Viola Swamp, the worst substitute, shows up and whips the students back into shape. By the time, Miss Nelson gets back the students are so thankful to have a nice teacher.
This book was really cute. I enjoyed the story a lot and loved the ending.
If I know ahead of time that I am going to miss a day of school, I would love to read this book to my students and show them how not to behave.
This book was really cute. I enjoyed the story a lot and loved the ending.
If I know ahead of time that I am going to miss a day of school, I would love to read this book to my students and show them how not to behave.
March 22, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I found myself wondering what was going to happen next. When the children realize their teacher is going to be out, they get a substitute. The sub bores them, so they impersonate their teacher to make him leave. When their teacher finds out about the impersonation, she gets the students back by pretending to be a scary substitute. This is a book for children's entertainment, but I think it could be used to model foreshadowing or inferences. The storyline is entertaining and even comical, and the illustrations are cute too.
June 14, 2018
I like the silliness of these books, but I don't like the implication. You have to be mean, nasty, and horrible (and ugly?) to get students to do what they need to. They'll only appreciate your niceness when they've seen how bad it can be. And they'll need constant reminders that it could be worse for them to appreciate you (if you're the nice teacher.) Also-- oh my heavens that principal!
September 9, 2018
Miss Nelson will be away from school for a few weeks due to an operation, and the kids in 207 have big plans, until a big kid warns them about Ms Swamp the meanest substitute in the world. Will Ms Swamp show up, or will the children be able to pull off their high jinks? It's disguise, and surprise for all involved.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews