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Grimmtastic Girls #2
Red Riding Hood Gets Lost
learning story
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
71 people are currently reading
1711 people want to read
About the author
Joan Holub
348 books1,236 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 3, 2014
My daughter (10) and I read and reviewed this book for Mother Daughter Book Reviews. We both give this book 5 stars. Here are our thoughts:
DAUGHTER SAYS:
This book is about a girl named Red. She wants to be an actor but she has stage fright. The Grimmtastic Girls go off on an adventure into the Neverwood Forest to follow a clue from the mapestry that takes them to Grandmother Enchantress’ cottage. But, another boy from school, Wolfgang, pretends to be the grandmother and steals Red’s basket. I liked how the book really plays along with the real story about the wolf taking the grandmother’s place in the cottage and asking questions. It was funny how he was asking questions about himself to see if Red liked him. I learned how to deal with stage fright, like breathing and writing down the things that you are scared of. I thought this book was grimmazingly grimmtastic! I liked the second book better than the first one and I would read the next one and the next one and the next one (etc.) if there were that many. I think girls aged 8 to 14 would like this book.
MOM SAYS:
My Thoughts: Red Riding Hood Gets Lost picks up where Cinderella Stays Late leaves off. In the first book of the Grimmtastic Girls, we are introduced to Cinda as she starts out at Grimm Academy. The story is told from her perspective. In the second book, the story is told from the perspective of “Red” (i.e., Little Red Riding Hood), who is auditioning for the lead role in the school play, Red Robin Hood (a role she is clearly destined for given her name!) But things go awry when she faints during her audition, and the handsome but recluse Wolfgang comes to her rescue.
As Red doubts her acting abilities, she and her friends continue to try to solve the mystery with the resurgence of the E.V.I.L. Society. The girls follow the clues that appear on the “mapestry” and lead the Grimmtastic Girls to the dangerous Neverwood forest to find the enchantress. The girls get separated and Red sets off to find the enchantress on her own. As with the story Little Red Riding Hood, Red encounters the strange shape-shifting Wolfgang, leaving her to wonder who she can trust and who she cannot. I love how the intrigue builds from Book 1 and how Book 2 helps to identify at least one character who is likely a member of the E.V.I.L. Society. I definitely want to keep reading more as this sub-plot develops.
I did feel that the main story was better developed in Book 2, compared to Book 1; but, this is totally understandable as the authors do need to establish the setting and introduce the main characters. There are definitely many laugh out loud moments as well as great intrigue as the mystery of the E.V.I.L. Society grows. There are so many quirky and clever elements to the story such as the roaming library, the birds who clean up after meals, and the “mapestry” (a tapestry which shows an ever-changing map). Each book focuses on one character as the story is told from their perspective. This is an absolutely fantastic new book series for tweens by the dynamic writing duo of Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams. More please!
* This book was provided to us by the author free-of-charge in exchange for our honest reviews. All opinions expressed are our own. *
DAUGHTER SAYS:
This book is about a girl named Red. She wants to be an actor but she has stage fright. The Grimmtastic Girls go off on an adventure into the Neverwood Forest to follow a clue from the mapestry that takes them to Grandmother Enchantress’ cottage. But, another boy from school, Wolfgang, pretends to be the grandmother and steals Red’s basket. I liked how the book really plays along with the real story about the wolf taking the grandmother’s place in the cottage and asking questions. It was funny how he was asking questions about himself to see if Red liked him. I learned how to deal with stage fright, like breathing and writing down the things that you are scared of. I thought this book was grimmazingly grimmtastic! I liked the second book better than the first one and I would read the next one and the next one and the next one (etc.) if there were that many. I think girls aged 8 to 14 would like this book.
MOM SAYS:
My Thoughts: Red Riding Hood Gets Lost picks up where Cinderella Stays Late leaves off. In the first book of the Grimmtastic Girls, we are introduced to Cinda as she starts out at Grimm Academy. The story is told from her perspective. In the second book, the story is told from the perspective of “Red” (i.e., Little Red Riding Hood), who is auditioning for the lead role in the school play, Red Robin Hood (a role she is clearly destined for given her name!) But things go awry when she faints during her audition, and the handsome but recluse Wolfgang comes to her rescue.
As Red doubts her acting abilities, she and her friends continue to try to solve the mystery with the resurgence of the E.V.I.L. Society. The girls follow the clues that appear on the “mapestry” and lead the Grimmtastic Girls to the dangerous Neverwood forest to find the enchantress. The girls get separated and Red sets off to find the enchantress on her own. As with the story Little Red Riding Hood, Red encounters the strange shape-shifting Wolfgang, leaving her to wonder who she can trust and who she cannot. I love how the intrigue builds from Book 1 and how Book 2 helps to identify at least one character who is likely a member of the E.V.I.L. Society. I definitely want to keep reading more as this sub-plot develops.
I did feel that the main story was better developed in Book 2, compared to Book 1; but, this is totally understandable as the authors do need to establish the setting and introduce the main characters. There are definitely many laugh out loud moments as well as great intrigue as the mystery of the E.V.I.L. Society grows. There are so many quirky and clever elements to the story such as the roaming library, the birds who clean up after meals, and the “mapestry” (a tapestry which shows an ever-changing map). Each book focuses on one character as the story is told from their perspective. This is an absolutely fantastic new book series for tweens by the dynamic writing duo of Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams. More please!
* This book was provided to us by the author free-of-charge in exchange for our honest reviews. All opinions expressed are our own. *
May 25, 2015
The story continues in this charming fractured fairy-tale series.
This is a cute book for young readers. (3rd-6th grade)
Red Riding Hood gets her charm, a magical basket, but the E.V.I.L society wants it too. Red isn't sure who to trust, especially when it comes to her friend Wolfgang.
The girls are intent on finding where the mapestry is leading them. Hopefully to a treasure that will save the school.
It's pretty silly, and definitely for younger readers, but it's not bad. My fourth graders will like it.
This is a cute book for young readers. (3rd-6th grade)
Red Riding Hood gets her charm, a magical basket, but the E.V.I.L society wants it too. Red isn't sure who to trust, especially when it comes to her friend Wolfgang.
The girls are intent on finding where the mapestry is leading them. Hopefully to a treasure that will save the school.
It's pretty silly, and definitely for younger readers, but it's not bad. My fourth graders will like it.
August 14, 2023
Can't really remember but I think Wolfgang was my favourite love interest but Rapunzel was my favourite story...
August 16, 2025
fun exciting, full of suprises!!!!
April 1, 2014
The fun continues! My daughter and I also read this book together. Part of the story continues from book one (the E.V.I.L. Society), but we get to know Red better. She wants to be an actress but has stage fright. The mysterious Wolfgang, who is an amazing actor, starts paying her attention and she needs to figure out what he's up to. Does he really want to help her or is he trying to gain her trust so he can get something from her?
I liked that we got to meet even more new characters. Again, the story was familiar but had some twists that kept it fresh and interesting. We learn more about the E.V.I.L. Society but not enough to solve the mystery so there is definitely more to come! I'm looking forward to reading more in this series as it continues (Snow's story comes out in July) and highly recommend it!
Mel's Shelves
I liked that we got to meet even more new characters. Again, the story was familiar but had some twists that kept it fresh and interesting. We learn more about the E.V.I.L. Society but not enough to solve the mystery so there is definitely more to come! I'm looking forward to reading more in this series as it continues (Snow's story comes out in July) and highly recommend it!
Mel's Shelves
September 9, 2014
The Grimmtastic books, for ages 9 to 13, are Funtastic!! !
Red tries out for the leading female part in the school play, searches for the clues in the "Map", faces danger, makes plans with her new friends,
experiences the beginning of new tingly feelings, and becomes more aware of herself than before.
There are exciting adventures and action, plus, a little romance in this very cleverly created story.
The Book was very well written and successfully kept the reader's interest. There was a definite connection to the characters and the background scenery was easily pictured. The book cover and title were a perfect "fit".
In my review of this book, I give it a Four and a Half Stars rating.
*This book was sent to me by the author for an honest review, of which I have given.
Red tries out for the leading female part in the school play, searches for the clues in the "Map", faces danger, makes plans with her new friends,
experiences the beginning of new tingly feelings, and becomes more aware of herself than before.
There are exciting adventures and action, plus, a little romance in this very cleverly created story.
The Book was very well written and successfully kept the reader's interest. There was a definite connection to the characters and the background scenery was easily pictured. The book cover and title were a perfect "fit".
In my review of this book, I give it a Four and a Half Stars rating.
*This book was sent to me by the author for an honest review, of which I have given.
September 21, 2016
Overall a cute little series that touches on several topics the biggest being stage fright. This is the second book in the series and I am already sick of the girls having a romantic interest. You would think that Red would be one of the few fairy tale girls that could have a story where there wasn't a guy in the story.... overall a cute little tale and I might read the rest in the series but only from the library.
December 2, 2016
A truly wonderful read!
I love it as much as I love the first book. Which is a lot. In this second installment of Grimmstastic Girls, we're switching POV from Cinda's to Red's. As much as I like Cinda, I prefer Red. I don't know why I just do. Also, can we have a moment for Wolfgang. I love Wolfgang.
A definite must-read for all fairy-tale lovers out there!!
I love it as much as I love the first book. Which is a lot. In this second installment of Grimmstastic Girls, we're switching POV from Cinda's to Red's. As much as I like Cinda, I prefer Red. I don't know why I just do. Also, can we have a moment for Wolfgang. I love Wolfgang.
A definite must-read for all fairy-tale lovers out there!!
February 24, 2014
This is a cute series. I would definitely recommend it for young readers that like disney and princesses. There is a good mix of positive messages and mystery in the stories, which is good for children's books.
April 19, 2020
I know that as an adult I'm not the intended audience for this book, but I read a lot of children chapter books, so that I can recommend them to my students. I give this book a "ho hum" rating because the plot moved too slow for me. The fairy tale friends are trying to save Grimm Academy from the E.V.I.L. Society, but I feel like very little was accomplished in this mission. In the meantime, Red Riding Hood gets stage fright, finds a magic basket, and has several conversations with Wolfgang (a boy with questionable actions.) You probably have to read all of the books in the series to get any resolution to the girls saving Grimm Academy. In my opinion, there doesn't seem to be much of a threat from the E.V.I.L Society for now. The characters go about freely at Grimmlandia and even wander the woods alone without adult chaperones. There's not enough suspense for my liking in this book, but I suppose girls who love fairy tales and princesses could like this series. If you like fractured fairy tales with more suspense, I'd look elsewhere.
March 22, 2021
I read a lot of middle grade books and especially love retelling of storybook characters from childhood. This one has Little Red Riding Hood as the main character and an academy full of fairytale princesses, nursery rhyme characters, and children's book characters. There really wasn't much of a plot to this book but I can see this being entertaining to a seven or eight year old. This is not the best I've read from this genre but it was o.k.
December 28, 2022
3.5 stars. I read part of this series while looking for new books for my kids to try. It’s generally a sweet, fun read with a few interesting twists on classic European fairy tales. It’s a bit romance-heavy for my taste given the age of the intended audience, but generally all of that is pretty tame and isn’t the central focus.
June 3, 2025
This is the second book in the series and my oldest daughter loves it. I enjoy the different spin the author puts on the classic fairy tales while still lending an element of the original tale as well. We are looking forward to continuing to unravel the mystery of the missing charms and the mapestry treasure in the next book.
January 9, 2019
The second in the Grimmtastic Girls series...this book didn't entertain me like the first book did or other junior novels I have read in the past. But I think I will continue to read the series along with my 9 year old daughter who appears to be enjoying the books.
August 8, 2019
My 9 and 11 yr old girls love this series and have me reading it aloud to them. As an adult, it's not too entertaining for me, but my girls are in love and it's clean and opens the door to conversations on friendship, gossip, trust, and other things preteen girls are having to learn about.
May 12, 2020
Interesting as to how the author has blended in the characteristics of each of these popular fairytale characters into a modern fantasy adventure story. Each character has to deal with "stereotype" and learn to be their true selves. Suitable for children 8+.
August 21, 2018
Another cute book in this series !
January 2, 2019
It’s a cute sequel and focuses on Red Riding Hood at her school, Grimm Academy. Contains adventure and mystery, and the story safe for young readers.
February 24, 2019
It is a very interesting story
July 17, 2020
I say 3.5
July 24, 2020
I actually read this book first in the series and I absolutely loved this. I recommend it to everyone who loves fairy tales.
December 9, 2021
Why does the hunter look like that on the cover 😭 😭 and why is he so young? Like did they need a love interest for her this is Little Red Riding Hood… 🪱 🪱 🪱 🪱.1 worms.
February 20, 2022
The grimmtastic books were okay until I met Red riding hood.
March 13, 2022
Cute mysterious imaginings with story book characters when younger.
September 5, 2022
Never read this
December 3, 2022
600,000 stars according to my 7yo
August 28, 2024
A childhood book series favorite of mine. I personally am biased towards the Cinderella one, as that’s my favorite fairytale but the second in the series is good.
November 16, 2025
i mean not much to say wish i had the 3rd book and wish i knew this was the 2nd also what were they talking about and also wolfgang still sus…
August 15, 2023
It was cute. It was a good modern day retelling take on Red Riding Hood.
The Grimmtastic Girls are modern day retellings of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and more, but with a more positive and happy vibe than the gruesome, horror vibes in the original tales.
The Grimmtastic Girls are modern day retellings of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and more, but with a more positive and happy vibe than the gruesome, horror vibes in the original tales.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews