What do you think?
Rate this book
Ms. Rapscott's Girls #2
Making Mistakes on Purpose
Students at a whimsical school for children of busy parents learn silly lessons about manners, friendship, and going far in life, in book two of the series that’s tailor-made for a new generation of Mary Poppins fans Great Rapscott School for Girls of Busy Parents is not your typical boarding school. Students arrive in boxes, birthday cake is served for breakfast, and two very talented corgis assist the rather quirky headmistress. This semester, the girls will learn how to get to The Top, but the semester is not off to a good start. One of the girls doesn’t make it back to school and when her friends try to rescue her, they wind up at the Bottom of the Barrel. Luckily, Ms. Rapscott knows that learning to fail is the secret to Going Far in life. Complete with charming black-and-white illustrations, this sequel to Ms. Rapscott’s Girls is full of, warmhearted lessons, spirited adventure, and good cheer.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2016
21 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 10, 2018
Well. Another in a long line of semi-humorous children’s books where the parents are absent. In this series the parents are alive, but they are too busy to actually parent their lonely, lost, bewildered offspring. While this is a swell morality tale for modern adults and my own two children find these kind of narratives funny enough, I find the lack of good parents (or any parents) in modern stories cringe-worthy. Surely we can give the next generation a wider range of plot devices than this. Surely we can give them larger stories to live into. It’s lovely to remind humans of any age that they are fully capable of doing what needs to be done for a good life, regardless of where they come from and in spite of their lack of real love and support and belonging. I’m just not sure that parents as the world’s main enemy statistically holds up to reality. Yes, I understand that I sound cranky. I am.
May 21, 2022
I love how clever this book is... for example, it gently illustrates that "getting to the top" may not be all it is cracked up to be, and warns us that "going too far" can have negative consequences. On the other hand, "taking matters into your own hands" can turn out to be a very good thing and you really need to "get used to disappointments". Delightful!
At the end of this book it seems like there will be another in the series, but nothing so far. This was authored in 2016, so I don't have high hopes. I would definitely read it if one ever gets published.
Audiobook
Narrated by Katherine Kellgren
Duration: 06:10:27
At the end of this book it seems like there will be another in the series, but nothing so far. This was authored in 2016, so I don't have high hopes. I would definitely read it if one ever gets published.
Audiobook
Narrated by Katherine Kellgren
Duration: 06:10:27
June 10, 2018
Wonderful too!
March 2, 2019
The magic and hilarity of the first book continues in this sequel featuring the return of favorite characters and the introduction of new ones with equally entertaining adventures. The ending leaves room for plenty more and I can't wait!
November 24, 2016
This book inspires a great deal of thinking and reflection - it would be a fun parent/child book club read. Here's one of my favorite parts: Being a child of very busy parents, Mildred has never received a birthday present. So here at Great Rapscott School she receives her first present. "'A rock!' Mildred took ti gently from the box like it might break. It was smooth and fit perfectly in the palm of her hand. No one had given her a rock before or anything else for that matter. 'Not just any rock,' Ms. Rapscott said. 'This is a Rapscott rock.' 'What does it do?' Annabelle asked skeptically. 'Absolutely nothing, Annabelle,' Ms. Rapscott replied. 'And yet observe the rock... steady...constant... strong. We could do worse than to try to be just like this rock!'"
There's a gem on almost every page. I hope I'm not ever a busy parent, teacher or grandparent.
There's a gem on almost every page. I hope I'm not ever a busy parent, teacher or grandparent.
January 2, 2017
I enjoyed the first in this series more than this one, though I still wasn't quite sure whether the first book was good enough to continue following. Now I know I'm not going to follow this series. Though I love the illustrations, I didn't find anything surprising in this book and plodded through it grimly to the end, reading mostly in hopes that something funny or charming or ...anything?...would happen by then. The characters never really came alive for me.
March 20, 2019
The second book in the series was not as well done as the first. Did I still enjoy reading it? Yes. Would I read a third book if it came out? Yes. Was this book particularly well done? No.
Overall, this book follows the path of the same characters as the first book adding in a few of the boys from the boys’ school. This book is focused on finding your way in life and the girls are trying to reach “The Top.” With this focus there is a large amount of commentary on the top and the bottom. I don’t necessarily know if these is commentary that will actually get across to the desired age range. They talk about things that can only be learned at the bottom, and how you can pay your dues and still not get to the top. These are things that are inserted into the book, but I don’t think that a grade school student who is reading this book is necessarily going to understand the entire point that is being made.
This book is still filled with whimsy, but it doesn’t all connect well, and basically the girls are jerks to each other most of the time. I think it is an interesting read and if you or your child has already read the first book and wants to continue it doesn’t hurt to read this book. I just don’t think it has a ton going for it.
Overall, this book follows the path of the same characters as the first book adding in a few of the boys from the boys’ school. This book is focused on finding your way in life and the girls are trying to reach “The Top.” With this focus there is a large amount of commentary on the top and the bottom. I don’t necessarily know if these is commentary that will actually get across to the desired age range. They talk about things that can only be learned at the bottom, and how you can pay your dues and still not get to the top. These are things that are inserted into the book, but I don’t think that a grade school student who is reading this book is necessarily going to understand the entire point that is being made.
This book is still filled with whimsy, but it doesn’t all connect well, and basically the girls are jerks to each other most of the time. I think it is an interesting read and if you or your child has already read the first book and wants to continue it doesn’t hurt to read this book. I just don’t think it has a ton going for it.
February 12, 2017
Review originally posted on my blog: www.facebook.com/TheBookChief
There are sequels that make you wish that the author had rested on his/her laurels rather than trying to recreate past glory. And then there are books like Making Mistakes on Purpose which are better-written, wiser, more interesting and just generally heaps more fun than the original (first) book.
So the sequel to 'Ms Rapscott's Girls' begins with the girls (all except one) returning to the Great Rapscott School for Girls of Busy Parents for the fall semester. Sending their daughters to school is made very easy for the harried busy parents (who are the busiest of all parents on the planet)- all they have to do is seal their daughter into a packing box with E-Z tape along with a snack for the journey and place the box in a WIDE OPEN SPACE strictly at the appointed time on the appointed date. The strong winds will do the rest, and carry the girls to the Big White Lighthouse By The Sea where the school is located. But the busy parents don't have time for even this simple task and the girls have to either pack themselves in, or ask siblings for help. And so, Fay who is Known For Not Being Able To Do Anything Right, packs herself in a minute later than scheduled and gets blown far far away......where? I'll come to it.
The remaining four girls- Bea, who is Known For Being Loud, Annabelle who is Known For Being Old For Her Age, Mildred who is Known For Being Lazy and tiny Dahlia who is Known For Being A Late Bloomer reach the school in one piece and are welcomed by their teacher Ms Rapscott and her two assistants Lewis and Clark (who are corgi dogs) There's plenty of hot chocolate and delicious birthday cake and lots of useful lessons like how to shine shoes, use a can opener, get rid of ants, do the laundry, make toast and all other essential survival skills that their parents didn't have time to teach them.
But the main course of the Fall Semester is How To Get Far in Life. And, since as Ms Rapscott says, “You cannot Go Far in Life unless you fail several times", the objective of the course is to fail, to be disappointed, to hit rock bottom- all by making mistakes on purpose. The goal is to reach The Top, where Fay has already reached thanks to her mistake, thus proving that it is possible to Fail in The Best Possible Way.
And so begin the girls' adventures. They reach The Bottom by way of a barrel cast on the Grim Tidings, i.e mammoth stormy waves in the sea outside their school. Because to reach The Top and hence Go Far in Life, you need to start at The Bottom. They also learn to Take Matters into Their Own Hands, How To Make A Bad Day Good (for which they first have to make a normal day bad!) and Get Used To Disappointment. All this is in the middle of storms and rain and hail, because the fall semester coincides with hurricane season!
Do the girls reach The Top and enjoy the grand life that Fay is living up? Do they get the Great Rapscott Medal for passing the course in Going Far in Life? You will have to read the book to know how it ends!
Narrated in a light, whimsical style with lots of droll Capitalisations and wise life lessons narrated with a deft, humorous hand , this book is perfect for kids aged 8-10 years as well as their teachers and parents. The kids will enjoy the fun almost-absurd tale and will understand some of the simpler lessons (like how it is OK to make mistakes or how to turn a bad day into a good one) while adults will appreciate the witticisms and the true wisdom behind the whimsy. And oh yes, the illustrations are charming!
I'll leave you with some of Ms Rapscott's quotes that I found particularly delightful and wise. Enjoy!
“The course has begun!” Ms. Rapscott announced. “Question Number One! In order to get to The Top one must start where?”
The girls looked at one another to see if anyone knew, but none of them did.
“The Bottom, class!” Ms. Rapscott paced back and forth in front of the girls as she spoke and held a finger in the air. “The Bottom; a cold place made of solid rock, with unpleasant rules. A place where no one listens to you and where even if you think you’re ahead you’re actually behind.”
--------------------------------------
“It can be dangerous to get to The Top too soon. Because once you reach The Top you have nowhere to go . . . but down.”
--------------------------------------
“Never be afraid to make mistakes on purpose and you will always Go Far in Life!”
--------------------------------------
“Always remember to wonder, girls, and you will never be dull!”
--------------------------------------
“To truly have a bad day you must tell yourself, ‘It could be better,’ whenever anything good happens. And a bad day can become good by saying 'It could be worse!' "
--------------------------------------
“With this ring I will uphold the great tradition of Great Rapscott School and all Rapscott Girls the world over. I promise I will never be afraid to make mistakes, that I will take matters into my own hands, and that I will never let a disappointment keep me from going far.”
There are sequels that make you wish that the author had rested on his/her laurels rather than trying to recreate past glory. And then there are books like Making Mistakes on Purpose which are better-written, wiser, more interesting and just generally heaps more fun than the original (first) book.
So the sequel to 'Ms Rapscott's Girls' begins with the girls (all except one) returning to the Great Rapscott School for Girls of Busy Parents for the fall semester. Sending their daughters to school is made very easy for the harried busy parents (who are the busiest of all parents on the planet)- all they have to do is seal their daughter into a packing box with E-Z tape along with a snack for the journey and place the box in a WIDE OPEN SPACE strictly at the appointed time on the appointed date. The strong winds will do the rest, and carry the girls to the Big White Lighthouse By The Sea where the school is located. But the busy parents don't have time for even this simple task and the girls have to either pack themselves in, or ask siblings for help. And so, Fay who is Known For Not Being Able To Do Anything Right, packs herself in a minute later than scheduled and gets blown far far away......where? I'll come to it.
The remaining four girls- Bea, who is Known For Being Loud, Annabelle who is Known For Being Old For Her Age, Mildred who is Known For Being Lazy and tiny Dahlia who is Known For Being A Late Bloomer reach the school in one piece and are welcomed by their teacher Ms Rapscott and her two assistants Lewis and Clark (who are corgi dogs) There's plenty of hot chocolate and delicious birthday cake and lots of useful lessons like how to shine shoes, use a can opener, get rid of ants, do the laundry, make toast and all other essential survival skills that their parents didn't have time to teach them.
But the main course of the Fall Semester is How To Get Far in Life. And, since as Ms Rapscott says, “You cannot Go Far in Life unless you fail several times", the objective of the course is to fail, to be disappointed, to hit rock bottom- all by making mistakes on purpose. The goal is to reach The Top, where Fay has already reached thanks to her mistake, thus proving that it is possible to Fail in The Best Possible Way.
And so begin the girls' adventures. They reach The Bottom by way of a barrel cast on the Grim Tidings, i.e mammoth stormy waves in the sea outside their school. Because to reach The Top and hence Go Far in Life, you need to start at The Bottom. They also learn to Take Matters into Their Own Hands, How To Make A Bad Day Good (for which they first have to make a normal day bad!) and Get Used To Disappointment. All this is in the middle of storms and rain and hail, because the fall semester coincides with hurricane season!
Do the girls reach The Top and enjoy the grand life that Fay is living up? Do they get the Great Rapscott Medal for passing the course in Going Far in Life? You will have to read the book to know how it ends!
Narrated in a light, whimsical style with lots of droll Capitalisations and wise life lessons narrated with a deft, humorous hand , this book is perfect for kids aged 8-10 years as well as their teachers and parents. The kids will enjoy the fun almost-absurd tale and will understand some of the simpler lessons (like how it is OK to make mistakes or how to turn a bad day into a good one) while adults will appreciate the witticisms and the true wisdom behind the whimsy. And oh yes, the illustrations are charming!
I'll leave you with some of Ms Rapscott's quotes that I found particularly delightful and wise. Enjoy!
“The course has begun!” Ms. Rapscott announced. “Question Number One! In order to get to The Top one must start where?”
The girls looked at one another to see if anyone knew, but none of them did.
“The Bottom, class!” Ms. Rapscott paced back and forth in front of the girls as she spoke and held a finger in the air. “The Bottom; a cold place made of solid rock, with unpleasant rules. A place where no one listens to you and where even if you think you’re ahead you’re actually behind.”
--------------------------------------
“It can be dangerous to get to The Top too soon. Because once you reach The Top you have nowhere to go . . . but down.”
--------------------------------------
“Never be afraid to make mistakes on purpose and you will always Go Far in Life!”
--------------------------------------
“Always remember to wonder, girls, and you will never be dull!”
--------------------------------------
“To truly have a bad day you must tell yourself, ‘It could be better,’ whenever anything good happens. And a bad day can become good by saying 'It could be worse!' "
--------------------------------------
“With this ring I will uphold the great tradition of Great Rapscott School and all Rapscott Girls the world over. I promise I will never be afraid to make mistakes, that I will take matters into my own hands, and that I will never let a disappointment keep me from going far.”
June 1, 2018
It's not easy to like any of the girls, who only do nice or "good" things when they believe it will accomplish a goal. They're even outright mean to Dahlia, for no particular reason. The teacher is supposed to be quirky and fun, but often seems callous and irresponsible - I get that she's supposedly building life experiences for the girls, but it would help if she didn't make weird pronouncements as she tosses them at some new horrible adventure. She frequently says what a Rapscott girl has to be, and it's usually nonsense.
I think the author is trying too hard to make the book quirky and cute, and the story suffers. Like why would boys and girls with busy parents not get along for very long? They're not socialized at all, so it makes no sense that they decided right away that they dislike the other gender. They shouldn't be able to get along with anyone.
I think the author is trying too hard to make the book quirky and cute, and the story suffers. Like why would boys and girls with busy parents not get along for very long? They're not socialized at all, so it makes no sense that they decided right away that they dislike the other gender. They shouldn't be able to get along with anyone.
May 13, 2021
We absolutely ADORE the first book in this series on audio (Ms. Raspcott's Girls, narrated by Katherine Kellgren) but our library didn't have the 2nd one on audio. So I was "forced" to read this aloud to the kids. It's a fabulous book but oh the pressure to read Ms. Raspcott with the right tone/inflection! :) I was grateful to make it through without too much complaining from the kids. Ha!
P.S. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ms Raspcott's approach to making mistakes. So helpful for all of us! Just learn from our mistakes and move on!
P.S. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ms Raspcott's approach to making mistakes. So helpful for all of us! Just learn from our mistakes and move on!
July 15, 2020
A totally cute and charming fantasy about a school I'd like to attend. Full of adventures, growing friendships, and life lessons as girls learn To Go Far and maybe, someday, Make It To The Top. I want my own unicorn! I'd like a purple bedroom! I'd like to eat anything (and not get fat). I want a pool with it's own swirly slide. And I WANT BOOK NUMBER 3! Please, Elise Primavera? Please let us in the winter semester?
November 4, 2022
"Life is like a hurricane. It twirls you around, knocks you off your feet, and can blow you into unfamiliar territory. But you must always just put on your rain bonnet and enjoy the ride!" -Ms. Rapscott
A great children's book, but good for older people too. :) Has some great life advice hiding under the humour.
A great children's book, but good for older people too. :) Has some great life advice hiding under the humour.
May 21, 2017
This sequel did not disappoint, and its inclusion and further development of a "boys academy" opens the prospective audience of readers. The realization that not all students "Reach the Top" was both sobering and thought-provoking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2019
Such a good book. Was not sure since children's book. I read to see if I would recommend for my friend and child to read. The teacher is like Ms. Frizzle and the class goes on adventures to reach the top. They have to reach bottom and learn how to deal with disappointment.
December 12, 2020
My girls were anxious (6&4) to hear what happened after the girls returned to school and were not disappointed! I preferred the first book- but they enjoyed the second just as much. I did edit out some of the name calling while reading aloud- but had no other concerns.
February 21, 2017
I loved the first one, I adore this one and I am eagerly awaiting the next one! This kind of book makes me purr.
May 6, 2017
Really funny. I want to read another one in the series.
May 21, 2017
When is the third book coming out my daughter is so ready for another volume.
July 1, 2017
Just as enjoyable as the first book. I am sure there will be another book for the winter session. Who will get lost next?
July 2, 2017
The Rapscott girls try to go far this time and want to reach the top, but they'll have to start at the bottom and face a few disappointments in this enjoyable sequel to the first book.
February 27, 2018
Funnier sequel to Ms. Rapscott's Girls (a Mary Poppins/Nanny Piggins type teacher). Katherine Kellgren's voices really elevate the story!
March 13, 2018
This book is better than the first because it lets the girls have some adventures on their own outside of the watchful eye of their teacher.
May 24, 2018
Loved this sequel and I it makes me sad that even if there is a 3rd book in this series it will not be narrated by the best of the best.
May 27, 2018
me and my family listened to this in the car. It was sooo good! It is really funny.
August 9, 2018
Liked it better than the first book.
Want to read
April 2, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
April 15, 2021
Another fun adventure.
February 12, 2025
Oh, I do hope there will be more books in this series. They are delightfully silly and so entertaining.
June 4, 2025
Such a sweet,fun and adorable story filled with of adventure and resilience.love and sisterhood and learning new skills.i wish there were more books in the series
July 25, 2017
I am so glad the Elise Primavera wrote a sequel! I love these silly little stories! Just hilarious and full of adventure and sweet girls of ultra busy parents! grade school kids are going to enjoy this story. The girls are so clever and resourceful. And, most importantly, fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews