Attack of the Plants

The Magic School Bus Rides Again #9

by AnnMarie Anderson

Next stop . . . The Magic School Bus heads to the Galapagos to learn about invasive species!

Arnold is alarmed to discover that the beloved Ms. Frizzle has been promoted and her younger sister Fiona is taking over the class. His worries come true when a simple field trip results in the Galapagos Islands being overrun by invasive bunnies. Can Arnold save the islands? And will he ever learn to like his new teacher?

This exciting novel continues the adventures of the Magic School Bus, the inspiration for the Emmy Award-winning animated series that has now been revived by Netflix.

Genres: Fiction, Chapter Books, Childrens, Magic

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2018

Reviews

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Heavy on the magic and light on the science. Just not as good as the originals—but my 6yo likes it. It's an okay beginning chapter book for those it interests.

Content: Mentions wedgies.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ms. Frizzle gets a job as a professor, her sister takes over her class as the new teacher. Arnold doesn't like change and that includes the new Ms. Frizzle. He especially doesn't like her plant sitting on the desk, so he puts it in his backpack.

Ms. Frizzle takes them on an adventure to Galapagos island and teaches about ecosystems and invasive species. Arnold is worried the new Ms. Frizzle is an invasive species and will ruin the classroom. In an attempt to set things right, Arnold leaves Ms. Frizzle's plant on the island, but he has no clue what trouble it brings. Soon, it's up to Ms. Frizzle and the class to save Galapagos Island from an invasive plant!

I love how this book teaches that not all change is bad. Arnold learns the hard way, but Ms. Frizzle takes it all in stride. It also teaches the science behind plants and the balance of ecosystems. There's also a glossary in the back for unfamiliar terms.


Final Verdict: This book is perfect for fans of science, plants, nature, and those going through change.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

First - this is listed as not the #1 book of this series but I happened to read the first chapter and it definitely is the first book of this series; it introduces the new characters. It would be weird reading this later.

Second - funny how this book and the first Magical Makers book are both about ecosystems, but neither does a very good job of explaining them imo. The only characters that matter are the adults and Arnold. Was the show like this? I can’t remember… I guess Arnold learned a good lesson? But so much “magic” it kind of detracted from the story … though I guess it doesn’t need to be logical. Like why are all of their future kids named [Name] Junior … also weird that they talked about how bees are good because of honey and didn’t mention pollination??

Emily said she liked it but I won’t push her to read more of these unless she asks.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new school year begins the kids are excited for their teacher, Ms. Frizzle, to return. But, she returns as Professor Frizzle and introduces the classes to her younger sister, Ms. Frizzle, who will take over a their new teacher. Arnold is not use to change and decides to sabotage the new Frizzle by leaving her plant at Galapagos Islands. His decision sets into action a series of events that changes the ecosystem. Can Ms. Frizzle and the class set it right?

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The class meets their new teacher, Ms. Frizzle's sister Fiona. They set 0ff on an adventure to learn about ecosystems and accidentally introduce an invasive species. Arnold learns a valuable lesson about change and acceptance of changes. Fun and laughter along with the learning as expected from the Magic School Bus.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this because it's such an important topic, but the message fell flat when the book explained how honeybees are a good invasive species, which is absolutely not true. Honeybees are detrimental to ecosystems. While it was a fine story in the Ms Frizzle genre, I can't get behind misinformation.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Change is hard and when it comes to the Magic School Bus classroom, not all adapt to it well. Transition from the old series to the new Ms Frizzle and a bit of a lesson on ecosystems.

[Christina Shute · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute great if learning about invasive species.

[Noelani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars from the 7-year old. She said this book taught her about ecosystems.