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Emmy #2
Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls
Emmy Addison is an ordinary girl—almost. If you don’t count the fact that her parents are rich (very), her best friend is a boy (and a soccer star), and she can talk to rodents (and they talk back), she’s very ordinary indeed. But she hasn’t been that way for long . . . It was only a few weeks ago that Emmy and her friends Ratty and Joe got rid of the evil Miss Barmy, the nanny who had nearly ruined Emmy’s life—and the lives of five other girls who went missing. Miss Barmy is now a rat. How much harm can she do?Book HardcoverPublication 10/14/2008 368Reading Age 9 and Up
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2008
28 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Jonell
20 books90 followersLynne Jonell is an author (and occasional illustrator) of sixteen books for children, from picture books to novels for ages 8-12, all with an element of fantasy: magical hamsters, talking cats, tiny planes with a secret fuel, rodents with special powers, and more. Her novel Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat won the Minnesota Book Award; her latest book, The Sign of the Cat, is a swashbuckling sea adventure. Coming in 2018 is Far Sight, Deep Time, a time-travel novel set at her ancestral castle in Scotland.
Her books have received starred reviews in Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Sesame Street Parents, and have been published in nine languages. She teaches writing at the Loft Literary Center, is married and has two sons, and lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lynnej...
Her books have received starred reviews in Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Sesame Street Parents, and have been published in nine languages. She teaches writing at the Loft Literary Center, is married and has two sons, and lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lynnej...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 3, 2021
Really enjoyed this! This is the 2nd book so can’t say a lot. I did enjoy the 1st book a little more, just b/c Emmy was more likable in it. She was a little annoying in this one, but I think any kid at that age wanting to finally be seen as normal & have more friends would have acted similar. There’s a scene at the soccer field that involves Sissy that I didn’t care for at all though. Made me quite mad lol(she doesn’t die or anything, I would have stopped reading if she had lol). But this had all the humor, & adventure as before. And danger. There’s a new mystery/danger to get to the bottom of. We have all our original favs & villains, & have new ones on both ends as well. Our original little cranky Rat still has my heart though..Can’t wait to start the 3rd & final book tonight! Another beautiful cover by Jonathan Bean too, with more illustrations at the top of every page & a little rat on every right page again as well.💜
July 14, 2008
While I found this in many ways, a similar original read along the lines of the first book, I had one very serious problem with it. That is, I had trouble suspending disbelief about Emmy being so desperate to have real girlfriends that she would leave a hurt rat friend --- stoned by these same girls no less --- to go off with them for a sleepover. I mean, that rat is seriously hurt and Emmy knows that when it happens and afterwards.
There's a lot of Emmy wanting badly to have some regular friends, be on a regular sleepover, and so forth. Somehow I never found that as believable as her kindness and commitment to the rodent world she became involved with in the first book. She continues to be so caring and kind in this book as well. For example, she allows herself to be bitten again to attend a big party even though she doesn't want to. She gets a little bothered by things, but never that much. And she is also completely lovely with Thomas, Joe's little brother. She's just a nice girl all around. So the idea that she would leave poor Sissy the way she does just didn't work for me. She would allow herself to think that a rat who had been stoned, who "...trailing a thin line of blood, was dragging herself along the ground" was okay? That is, ignore the reality because she so badly wanted to go off with some girls who did not seem all that nice anyway? Says, her sudden new friend (versus her old rodent friends), Meg:
"I can see why you didn't protect her at first, though," Meg went on. "It's like, do you help the one getting hurt, or do you side with your friends? It's hard either way."
Yeah, if I'd been convinced those girls were Emmy's friends. But she barely knew them. Not the way she already knew Sissy.
And then I would have at least liked a bit more recriminations from the rodent world. There is a tiny bit about their unhappy response to her. But everyone moves on pretty quickly once Emmy suggests they rescue the little girls. I'm not sure if there is suppose to be some sort of contrast between the big girls Emmy wants as friends and the little ones she rescues.
This whole thing really, really bothered me. I so wish it had been better developed. A better sense of Emmy's yearning for regular girl friends. A better sense of why these girls (or at least the one who becomes a true friend later on). A better sense of remorse rather than just moving on plot-wise.
As a result I can't say I'm wild about the book as a result. Sorry.
There's a lot of Emmy wanting badly to have some regular friends, be on a regular sleepover, and so forth. Somehow I never found that as believable as her kindness and commitment to the rodent world she became involved with in the first book. She continues to be so caring and kind in this book as well. For example, she allows herself to be bitten again to attend a big party even though she doesn't want to. She gets a little bothered by things, but never that much. And she is also completely lovely with Thomas, Joe's little brother. She's just a nice girl all around. So the idea that she would leave poor Sissy the way she does just didn't work for me. She would allow herself to think that a rat who had been stoned, who "...trailing a thin line of blood, was dragging herself along the ground" was okay? That is, ignore the reality because she so badly wanted to go off with some girls who did not seem all that nice anyway? Says, her sudden new friend (versus her old rodent friends), Meg:
"I can see why you didn't protect her at first, though," Meg went on. "It's like, do you help the one getting hurt, or do you side with your friends? It's hard either way."
Yeah, if I'd been convinced those girls were Emmy's friends. But she barely knew them. Not the way she already knew Sissy.
And then I would have at least liked a bit more recriminations from the rodent world. There is a tiny bit about their unhappy response to her. But everyone moves on pretty quickly once Emmy suggests they rescue the little girls. I'm not sure if there is suppose to be some sort of contrast between the big girls Emmy wants as friends and the little ones she rescues.
This whole thing really, really bothered me. I so wish it had been better developed. A better sense of Emmy's yearning for regular girl friends. A better sense of why these girls (or at least the one who becomes a true friend later on). A better sense of remorse rather than just moving on plot-wise.
As a result I can't say I'm wild about the book as a result. Sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2013
Again... Eh.
In the second of the trilogy, Emmy discovers that the girls who appear on Miss Barmy's cane may actually be alive, but she wants a normal life with friends her age now that Miss Barmy's spells are not keeping others from noticing her anymore. Emmy is torn between being a normal young lady and helping her animal friends as well as the missing girls. And is Miss Barmy becoming good? Emmy doesn't think so but almost everyone else does and Emmy tries desperately to convince them it is all an act.
As with the first in the trilogy, my daughter really enjoyed it and looked forward to reading every night. On the other hand, I found it just as bland as the first. It was not bad; it just wasn't all that great. If my daughter had not wanted to read it, I probably would have stopped with book one.
One of the problems I had with Troubled Girls is that Emmy is a real brat. I can understand her wanting to be a normal girl, but she behaves so badly and her constant attitude and lip just made me want to smack her. You can think that about fictional characters so nobody call CPS on me. I think there could have been a better way of portraying this conflict.
In short, it wasn't a waste of time but there are more interesting books to read with your kids.
In the second of the trilogy, Emmy discovers that the girls who appear on Miss Barmy's cane may actually be alive, but she wants a normal life with friends her age now that Miss Barmy's spells are not keeping others from noticing her anymore. Emmy is torn between being a normal young lady and helping her animal friends as well as the missing girls. And is Miss Barmy becoming good? Emmy doesn't think so but almost everyone else does and Emmy tries desperately to convince them it is all an act.
As with the first in the trilogy, my daughter really enjoyed it and looked forward to reading every night. On the other hand, I found it just as bland as the first. It was not bad; it just wasn't all that great. If my daughter had not wanted to read it, I probably would have stopped with book one.
One of the problems I had with Troubled Girls is that Emmy is a real brat. I can understand her wanting to be a normal girl, but she behaves so badly and her constant attitude and lip just made me want to smack her. You can think that about fictional characters so nobody call CPS on me. I think there could have been a better way of portraying this conflict.
In short, it wasn't a waste of time but there are more interesting books to read with your kids.
October 9, 2015
I stopped reading this book because i found it very disapointing. As you read it, all you do it read plain words...i can't find myself visualizing this book. I honestly think this book is not my type, and it's not very creative, interesting, or exciting. Although i recommend this book to people that like plain books.
March 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this series. I ended up reading the books out of order, Book 1, 3, then 2. I was afraid that finishing book 3, the end of the series, would greatly diminish my enjoyment of "the middle book". So often, the second in a series is very lackluster and "just bridging the gap". I am glad to say that is not the case with this series. It has its own unique and interesting story, one that revolves around the mystery of missing girls that has Emily wondering if their disappearance has any connection with Miss Barmy. And a formal attire Beauty Pageant.
The plot revolves around Emmy and her sudden invitation to attend a sleepover/pool party at a schoolmate's house. Having been ignored and called stuck-up by these same girls, she takes the plunge and accepts the invitation. But immediately her friendship with her rat family is challenged as her new friends notice that she is again talking to rats, how weird is that. She chooses to ignore her rat friends, shooing them away, and abandoning Sissy as she tries to unsuccessfully evade rocks that are being hurled at her. Even though she looks injured Emmy turns away and follows her friends. (I am sure we can identify with this situation and empathize with Emmy's decision.) The consequences leave Emmy firmly stranded with both sets of friends mistrusting her.
The theme of shifting tides is very evident throughout the story as Joe is balking about attending soccer camp, Chippy and other assorted rodents are now in the thrall of Miss Barmy, and Thomas is trying to find his 5 year old place.
Humorous situations appear throughout, making the characters very lovable and real. And as a bonus, there is some very fun art work. By fanning the pages a moving picture appears.
[[SPOILER ALERT]] THE GOOD RATS WIN!!
The plot revolves around Emmy and her sudden invitation to attend a sleepover/pool party at a schoolmate's house. Having been ignored and called stuck-up by these same girls, she takes the plunge and accepts the invitation. But immediately her friendship with her rat family is challenged as her new friends notice that she is again talking to rats, how weird is that. She chooses to ignore her rat friends, shooing them away, and abandoning Sissy as she tries to unsuccessfully evade rocks that are being hurled at her. Even though she looks injured Emmy turns away and follows her friends. (I am sure we can identify with this situation and empathize with Emmy's decision.) The consequences leave Emmy firmly stranded with both sets of friends mistrusting her.
The theme of shifting tides is very evident throughout the story as Joe is balking about attending soccer camp, Chippy and other assorted rodents are now in the thrall of Miss Barmy, and Thomas is trying to find his 5 year old place.
Humorous situations appear throughout, making the characters very lovable and real. And as a bonus, there is some very fun art work. By fanning the pages a moving picture appears.
[[SPOILER ALERT]] THE GOOD RATS WIN!!
November 23, 2025
This is wild, but while I knew there were other Emmy books, I misjudged which was the first, and despite the absolutely bananas premise, I managed to catch on fairly quickly so... kudos, Lynne Jonell.
Emmy's nemesis is now living her life as a rat, and she's trying to have a normal life. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how to begin. Her schoolmates think she's odd and Emmy can't relax, worried that even the rat version of Ms. Barmy could still be a threat. She also can't help but wonder about Ms. Barmy's former charges/victims. Where are they now, and did they survive--or are they still waiting to be rescued?
The Emmy books are along the lines of Matilda or Series of Unfortunate Events where the big baddie is theatrically over the top and the adults are either completely clueless/useless or quirky cartoonish, which can be a lot of fun but you just have to expect a wild ride. I'm not a fan of animal books, typically, but despite some of the cutesy character names it's not as twee as you might expect, with some humor and quite a bit of exciting action. I can see it being enjoyed by fans of Shunk and Badger, the Rats of NIMH, or the Wildwood books.
You simply can't think too hard about the mechanics of the shrinking/rattening/derattening process. It makes very little sense to me, but Im willing to set it aside for good adventure, and this is one.
Emmy's nemesis is now living her life as a rat, and she's trying to have a normal life. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how to begin. Her schoolmates think she's odd and Emmy can't relax, worried that even the rat version of Ms. Barmy could still be a threat. She also can't help but wonder about Ms. Barmy's former charges/victims. Where are they now, and did they survive--or are they still waiting to be rescued?
The Emmy books are along the lines of Matilda or Series of Unfortunate Events where the big baddie is theatrically over the top and the adults are either completely clueless/useless or quirky cartoonish, which can be a lot of fun but you just have to expect a wild ride. I'm not a fan of animal books, typically, but despite some of the cutesy character names it's not as twee as you might expect, with some humor and quite a bit of exciting action. I can see it being enjoyed by fans of Shunk and Badger, the Rats of NIMH, or the Wildwood books.
You simply can't think too hard about the mechanics of the shrinking/rattening/derattening process. It makes very little sense to me, but Im willing to set it aside for good adventure, and this is one.
January 3, 2021
Pretty good overall, but it was a little confusing to find the difference between Miss Jane Barmy the rat and the old lady that captured the tiny girls, and I still haven't figured that out, but I'm not going to waste my time on it. I shall simply move on.
Perhaps I was confused because I didn't read the first book, but whatever.
Perhaps I was confused because I didn't read the first book, but whatever.
April 17, 2020
Second book in series, lots of cool talking rodents and a mystery to solve. More friends to be made and rescued.
July 13, 2020
Emmy’s second book is just as enthralling as the first. The wonderful cast of characters grows even more as she dives into her new adventure!
September 30, 2020
Use what it is about
November 4, 2020
I like this series as far as kids books, and the second one was just as good as the first!
July 1, 2021
It's silly and I like how she can shrink
Want to read
November 30, 2023My kids and I loved the audiobook on a road trip.
May 25, 2024
Cute book for the younger crowd! Funny story of a girl who talks to rats and even shrinks down to size to become one of them. She has many adventures and ends her journey with a happy ending.
July 24, 2024
Loveeeee!I definitely think that the first book,( Emmy and the Shrinkable Rat) is much better than the 2nd book. But I still couldn't put the book down!
February 27, 2017
Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls is a wonderful sequel to Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat. The story brings back beloved characters like Emmy, Raston and Cecelia Rat, Joe and the awful Miss Barmy. Lynne Jonell used a lot of dry humor, as usual, in this book and draws us into the furry world of Rodent City. I think Cecelia would be a great friend; she may not be the most educated, but she is loyal and kind-hearted. SPOILER: She truly deserves the title of 'Princess Gritty'. It's also quite real to see how Miss Barmy toys with many male characters using her beauty and wit so she gets what she wants (SPOILER ALERT) but is ultimately foiled in the end. This is quite a real life reference to how some people are so shallow that they use others who love them. I think the author is trying to tell us not to trust blindly and really know a person before sacrificing everything for them, as Cheswick Vole blindly did in the first book for Miss Barmy (stupid decision).
August 2, 2008
I am always skeptical about a sequel when the first book is so good, so complete and ends so satisfyingly. I was afraid that this one would have been just a repeat of the first story with some forced central conflict that can't produce fresh ideas or obstacles. I'm glad to report that my fear was not realized! At the center of the story is Emmy's need to belong to what she believes as a "normal" girl's life. After the excitements and adversaries from the previous episodes, it is natural for her to yearn for the company of plain old 10-year-old girls! This strong desire to belong and to disassociate herself with her rodent buddies costs her dearly. The scene with Sissy is heart-breaking and serves as a highly realistic and heavy central struggle.
I am slightly bothered by the quick and somewhat unfinished way that Jonell handles the resolution for the five troubled girls. I would have liked to see a little bit more of them and their interaction with Emmy and know a little more about what actually happens to each of them. Even a little epilogue might be good.
I am slightly bothered by the quick and somewhat unfinished way that Jonell handles the resolution for the five troubled girls. I would have liked to see a little bit more of them and their interaction with Emmy and know a little more about what actually happens to each of them. Even a little epilogue might be good.
February 18, 2009
I loved this book as much as I loved the prequel (Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat). The themes become a bit more complex as Emmy tries to deal with fitting in with potential new friends versus being friends with a bunch of rodents (and doesn't always make the right decisions). I liked that about it because it just made Emmy seem more real.
And that's a sweet thing about this book - even though it's about a girl who can talk to rats and rodents, shrink down to four inches in size, and even become a rat herself - she's still a very "real" character. She embodies many of the traits that I'd like to see my own child develop: thoughtfulness and a curiosity for life, the strength of character to be true to yourself, and the ability to recognize your mistakes and do what you can to make things right again.
I'm not sure what Lynne Jonell has planned, but I'd love to see a series of these books.
And that's a sweet thing about this book - even though it's about a girl who can talk to rats and rodents, shrink down to four inches in size, and even become a rat herself - she's still a very "real" character. She embodies many of the traits that I'd like to see my own child develop: thoughtfulness and a curiosity for life, the strength of character to be true to yourself, and the ability to recognize your mistakes and do what you can to make things right again.
I'm not sure what Lynne Jonell has planned, but I'd love to see a series of these books.
February 5, 2009
This is the follow up story to Emmy and The Incredibly Shrinking Rat. I will keep it short so I don't spoil much of anything for those reading the first book. In this one we have returning characters, Emmy, Raston, Miss Barmy among others. We also have new characters like Meg that play an important role in the storyline. For those reading the first one, I will leave this review with this one question: Will Emmy end up at the Home for Troubled Girls anyway OR will Miss Barmy win in another way?! Yes, Miss Barmy is still up to her nasty tricks in yet another very imaginative story about doing what's right and helping those we love most!
Again, only one quote:
pg 130: "Hang in there." ... "What does that mean?" ... "Well, you know, keep doing what you're doing. Don't give up, even when you're discouraged. Believe that things are going to get better soooo---" (I agree with this, in that, when you have a goal or are discouraged by lifes natural course, keep going, keep the FAITH, keep doing what you're doing and things WILL get better!)
Again, only one quote:
pg 130: "Hang in there." ... "What does that mean?" ... "Well, you know, keep doing what you're doing. Don't give up, even when you're discouraged. Believe that things are going to get better soooo---" (I agree with this, in that, when you have a goal or are discouraged by lifes natural course, keep going, keep the FAITH, keep doing what you're doing and things WILL get better!)
May 10, 2012
Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls picks up where its predecessor, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat, left off. All Emmy Addison wants is to be a normal girl, but how normal can she be with the ability to converse with rodents? At least she's finally seen the last of Miss Barmy, the evil nanny she and her friends defeated mere weeks ago. After all, how much damage can Miss Barmy cause as a rat?
Reading this, the second in the series, is an experience very similar to the first, which is largely a good thing. The book starts off a bit slow, but quickly gathers speed and manages to draw the reader in quite neatly. The writing is fun and interesting, the characters come to life, and there's a nice morality to it all - people aren't perfect and often make mistakes, but in the end, good triumphs over bad. Well-done action scenes lead up to a satisfying ending, but the hard parts may be a bit much for sensitive young souls.
Reading this, the second in the series, is an experience very similar to the first, which is largely a good thing. The book starts off a bit slow, but quickly gathers speed and manages to draw the reader in quite neatly. The writing is fun and interesting, the characters come to life, and there's a nice morality to it all - people aren't perfect and often make mistakes, but in the end, good triumphs over bad. Well-done action scenes lead up to a satisfying ending, but the hard parts may be a bit much for sensitive young souls.
August 1, 2013
The second book continued where its left off. Emmy's life is better now. She has friends (Joe, the football star and rats of course), her parents starting to recognize her and her friends at school no longer ignore her.
So Emmy strive for ordinariness and she can't be ordinary if she can talk to rats and they talk back!
Emmy was in a dilemma. She wants human friends, some girls she can have pool party with and having a sleep over. In wanting this, she made bad choices that she regret later on.
The second book was as fun as the first was. The story line was fast paced and filled with adventure. In the second book we get to know Thomas (Joe's brother) better.
I think the moral lesson in this story is..never underestimated evil nanny and her faithful sidekick although she already turned into a rat.
So Emmy strive for ordinariness and she can't be ordinary if she can talk to rats and they talk back!
Emmy was in a dilemma. She wants human friends, some girls she can have pool party with and having a sleep over. In wanting this, she made bad choices that she regret later on.
The second book was as fun as the first was. The story line was fast paced and filled with adventure. In the second book we get to know Thomas (Joe's brother) better.
I think the moral lesson in this story is..never underestimated evil nanny and her faithful sidekick although she already turned into a rat.
January 9, 2009
Even though I didn't LOVE the first one, Joseph requested the second, and--so I checked it out, and I really like this one! Maybe I'm just more used to the characters, but I thought it was a good children's mystery, taught about the importance of being loyal to friends, and true to yourself.
A couple things that annoyed me were: the beginning where the author plays "catch-up" with new readers who missed the first book (this ALWAYS bothers me although I understand the purpose) and the many many large vocabulary words. Now, normally this would NOT bother me, and it only bothers me a little because my 8-year old wants to read it independently, and I KNOW he just skips all the words and misses a lot of content. However, reading the book aloud leads to lots of "What does that mean?" Which is a plus. So--I would recommend this for 10 year olds, or as a read aloud book.
A couple things that annoyed me were: the beginning where the author plays "catch-up" with new readers who missed the first book (this ALWAYS bothers me although I understand the purpose) and the many many large vocabulary words. Now, normally this would NOT bother me, and it only bothers me a little because my 8-year old wants to read it independently, and I KNOW he just skips all the words and misses a lot of content. However, reading the book aloud leads to lots of "What does that mean?" Which is a plus. So--I would recommend this for 10 year olds, or as a read aloud book.
February 1, 2010
This is the sequel to Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat. I had originally listed this as being read in the middle of January since I was all ready to begin, but did not get around to reading it until the last couple of days due to college work. It can be read in one easy sitting if someone so desires. This is an upper elementary level Battle of the Books selection.
I would recommend reading the first novel about the Incredible Shrinking Rat or you'll lose some meaning to references in the Troubled Girls book. Emmy is back, but so is the evil Ms. B. Whatever happened to the girls whose faces and names were carved into Ms. B's cane? And what will Ms. B think of next? Just when Emma thought they'd finished with Ms. B, here comes a new twist to the continuation of Emmy's life and adventures.
A fascinating book that kept me wanting more!
I would recommend reading the first novel about the Incredible Shrinking Rat or you'll lose some meaning to references in the Troubled Girls book. Emmy is back, but so is the evil Ms. B. Whatever happened to the girls whose faces and names were carved into Ms. B's cane? And what will Ms. B think of next? Just when Emma thought they'd finished with Ms. B, here comes a new twist to the continuation of Emmy's life and adventures.
A fascinating book that kept me wanting more!
June 8, 2013
The sequel to “Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat” is just about as good as it’s predecessor, and in some ways better. But I still rated a 4 has it felt a little predictable to me. I enjoyed “Shrinking Rat” so much, and while this wasn’t disappointing, maybe just not as fresh as the first installment. Jonell creates fascinating characters, but 2 and 4 legged, and you find yourself caring about most of them. What I find fascinating about Joenell’s writing is that while the story is set in a town by a lake, I feel like it’s taking place in an English village – that’s how timeless these books feel. This story does bring the “Shrinking Rat” story to some conclusion – but you just know Miss B is gonna come back somehow. Can’t wait for “Bats in the Bellfry.”
August 24, 2011
1/28/11-The library called this one back for the second time...back to the 'to read' list.
8/23/11 - Once I got going with this one, I didn't want to put it down. I let Summer Sara be in charge and stayed up late to finish. What I really like about this one is that I saw the small loose end in the first book that became the connection to the main plot thrust of this book. The author subtly left it hanging and then picked it up for book 2. Very excellent! This book explores when happens when you make a mistake and must find redemption and forgiveness. Those a great themes for upper elementary kids!
8/23/11 - Once I got going with this one, I didn't want to put it down. I let Summer Sara be in charge and stayed up late to finish. What I really like about this one is that I saw the small loose end in the first book that became the connection to the main plot thrust of this book. The author subtly left it hanging and then picked it up for book 2. Very excellent! This book explores when happens when you make a mistake and must find redemption and forgiveness. Those a great themes for upper elementary kids!
September 21, 2010
This follow-up to Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat pits Emmy against Miss Barmy, again. Miss Barmy has won over most of Rodent City, but she's still pure evil. Emmy and her friends, both rodent and human, save the kidnapped girls that Miss Barmy has in her enslavement. Emmy also saves herself. She does bad things, like not standing up for Cissy when the human girls are mean to her, but she learns her lesson. I enjoyed the second half of the book especially. Everything came together and the action was great. Very heartwarming. The first half was good, but I liked the pacing better later.
Notes: Miss Barmy, glass cutters, Wishing Mouse, beauty pageant, tiara, stolen jewels
Notes: Miss Barmy, glass cutters, Wishing Mouse, beauty pageant, tiara, stolen jewels
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2008
Pretty disappointing sequel to Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat, which was one of my favorite children's novels of 2007. First of all, who is Jonell writing these books for? The story appeals to grades 1-3, but the book is hard enough that most 3rd graders wouldn't know all the words. Forget about the 1st and 2nd graders. Then there's the fact that it was just downright boring for the first 100 or so pages. Too bad, because I was pretty excited about this when it came out. If there's a third book in the series, I hope it's better than this one.
December 1, 2010
The sequel to 'Emmmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat', 'Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls', is about this girl called Emmy who can talk with rodents, but all of a sudden doesn't want to because she thinks it isn't "normal". The rodents and her also have an adventure rescuing these tiny, shrunken little slave girls.
I didn't like this book as much as the first, because all off a sudden Emmy is mean. In the first book, she is called, 'Good'. But in this book she's kind of mean all of a sudden. And it doesn't make sense, because now Emmy's life is way better.
I didn't like this book as much as the first, because all off a sudden Emmy is mean. In the first book, she is called, 'Good'. But in this book she's kind of mean all of a sudden. And it doesn't make sense, because now Emmy's life is way better.
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March 17, 2011It's a good story I couldn't stop reading it I almost forgot to go to the bathroom I love Lynn jonell she's one of my favorite author in the world I inspired her I wish when I grow up I want to become just like her I always wish to be a author like if you read EMMY AND THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING RAT if you look on the side of the book you can see Raston on the side of the book flip the pages and you will see him falling down and Emmy catching him in her hands I wish I could stop reading her books I love it
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August 21, 2020It took me a while to read this novel to my boys for a few reasons. (One being I wasn't terribly interested in it.) We read the first book right before reading this one and though there is another sequel, my 8 year old said a few weeks ago, "Let's take a break from the Emmy books after this." Agreed. There are some things that this novel as a sequel does very well (building off the first story, furthering character development) but the story felt flat. But kudos to Jonell for improving her prose; this novel isn't littered with adverbs like the first.
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