Miss Smith Reads Again!

Miss Smith #2

by Michael Garland

Zack can’t wait for school with Miss Smith—her incredible storybook promises a new expedition each time she reads.This time the class is off on a fantastic journey to a Lost World. Zack and his friends are having a wonderful time—until a Tyrannosaurus appears out of the jungle! The kids all flee to safety. But where is their beloved teacher? And where is the magic book that can take them home? Young readers will be thrilled to join Miss Smith’s escapade among the dinosaurs, brought to vivid life in Michael Garland’s trademark eye-popping, look-again art.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Dinosaurs, Fantasy, Adventure, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Author and illustrator Michael Garland was born in Manhattan in 1952. He studied art at Pratt Institute and soon after graduating, he sold his first illustration to True Confessions magazine. He has written or illustrated over 40 books.

Reviews

[Tina Haigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review in progress :)

[Susan Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son loves this sequel because of the dinosaurs. We love the illustrations!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like the dinosaurs because they are big

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand what the author was going for but he didn’t hit the mark

[Alli Serrano]

Miss Smith Reads Again! a sequel to Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland is about a teacher who goes above and beyond to teach her class. She does this by reading stories to her students. These stories come to life as she reads. The one she reads this time brings the class to experience the prehistoric times when dinosaurs exist. As they read, Miss Smith has one rule. That is to not interfere with the characters because it could change the ending of the story effecting the story to return to the book. In the story within a story, the class soon comes across two men that hunt dinosaurs. As a dinosaur approaches behind them, Zack one of the students can't help but yell for them to watch out. Miss Smith didn't have time to stop them and soon the story has changed. The dinosaurs come after the students and Miss Smith goes missing. Will it ever go back to normal?

This is a very intense story that is full of color and imagination. The double page spreads with illustrations that look almost animated do a great job at holding a child's attention. The story while a mystery with a good plot line is done minimally. I feel that it could have been a lot better (especially the text) and more developed than it actually was, since I love the idea/concept of the book. However, I could still see children enjoying this book. It allows a great possible discussion between a teacher and students to show the importance of listening to the teacher and following directions. The book ends openly, which I didn't particularly enjoy because I felt that it didn't provide enough closure that I see as necessary. However, it does set up for a sequel, in an unrelated topic.

[babyhippoface · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this sequel to Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook the students are transported back to the "Lost World" where they encounter various dinosaurs as they attempt to find and rescue their teacher from a pterodactyl and get back home. Garland's margin-to-margin computer-generated illustrations are almost too vibrant--the bold colors of the characters' clothing and hair stand out in stark contrast against the more realistic backgrounds, creating a somewhat jarring effect. Dinosaur fans may enjoy these jurassic encounters, but overall, this story is flat and unsatisfying compared with the original.

[Hana Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me a lot of the Magic School Bus series. Basically, the teacher, Ms. Smith, reads her class a book about dinosaurs and they are suddenly taken into a prehistoric jungle in which they encounter dinosaurs and explorers. They must overcome some obstacles, but eventually make it back into their "real world'. This book says a lot about how children can get "lost" in a book, so much so that they feel as if they are in the actual story. I was always fascinated by dinosaurs and everything to do with them during my childhood, so I can definitely see a lot of children enjoying this book's topic and being able to relate to the children in the story. Overall, good story!

[Sarah Daly]

In this book Miss Smith reads again i think that its a great learning book. Its about a teacher who brings the stories that she reads to life. She makes the realistic for the kids. Its full of adventures and creatures that makes teaching kids a lot more interesting and fun. At the end of the book the kids are challenged to find their teacher who is lost in the jungle and she levaes them a magic book to find her with. I think that this tactic teaches the kids that are learning how to read, by giving them a twist in the plot and realy try to make them think and figure out what they have just read.

[Lisa Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was another wonderful story that we found really cheap at a discount store. My son saw the bright, colorful cover with the T-Rex, and declared, "I have to buy this book!" We love going to the library, but I have no problems buying books as well. He really enjoys this story and he wishes that all the stories that I read would come to life. This story inspires children to use their imaginations. The pictures were funny, colorful and full of life. He looked at the pictures the entire way home and was able to "tell" me the story on the way home even though he can't read yet.

[Sarah Brock]

I believe that this book would be one that a lot of students would enjoy reading. Part of the reason I think I liked it was because of the illustrations. They were very vivid and I could probably spend a good amount of time looking at the pictures as I read through the book. I think this book could go along nicely with a dinosaur unit since it gives information about different types of dinosaurs. I also liked the way the book ended. It could allow for discussion on what students think might happen nextx.

[Elizabeth Moser]

I think this book fits aspects of our description of fantasy. It depicts a class transported to another world and they end up going on a quest. More importantly though, it could be used as an extension within the classroom. Students could be prompted to situate themselves within a favorite story and do a writing activity, describing the things they would see and do if they were transported into it. Students could also be prompted to think about how they may change the story.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale - we have read two Miss Smith books and our girls just love them! We love that the class becomes so engrossed in the stories she reads that the book becomes alive to them. We also like that the author highlights different literary classics in this series.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a sequal and I think it better helps explain the first book. The first book deals with the stories in a book coming to life. This book shows the students interacting with the story and actually being apart of their reading. I love the pictures in this book, they are so vivid and make me think I am really there too.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those rare books I wish was longer. The story moves a little too quickly for my liking, although I do like the story. If it were developed and drawn out, I would love to share this with my classroom. The kids in Miss Smith's class have an appetite for reading and get lost in the stories. It's a good model, but too fast paced for me.

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting story where everything Miss Smith reads comes to life. One day, Miss Smith reads about The Lost World, and some interesting things happen when the class becomes part of the story. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and it can easily be read when students are learning about dinosaurs.

[Brittnee Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nephew and I loved this book. He's a high interest, low level reader/listener. We tried this under a recommendation from our children's librarian, and we're so pleased with this book. I tried to do funny voices to make it even better though its not necessary.

Highly recommend this series, hope the author writes more soon!!

[Shaley Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Miss Smith book I have read and it is just as good as this first. This one is based off of dinasours, which is very interesting to read in a different perspective as Miss Smiths. The pictures are amazing and can draw anyones attention to them.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my boys brought this book home from school and we all loved it. Great illustrations! We wished the story was a little longer. Quite the adventure! We all wish we could have some of our favorite stories come to life like this. Fun!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Smith's storybook takes her class into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Lost World. Being chased by a T-rex, riding a Stegosaurus, and saving Miss Smith from a Pterodactyl's nest the class finally finishes the story to return to their classroom--right before the Pterodactyl egg hatches!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books for so many reasons, but the main and best reason is because my seven-year-old son loves these book. In fact, he was so inspired by these books that he wanted to turn his bedroom into a library.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Miss Smith books are wonderful. The stories are very adventurous and the artwork is beautiful. We'll be placing these in our permanent collection.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easily my least favorite of the "Miss Smith" series. My kids think it is funnier when the book characters are trasnported into the world of the children reading the book.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think it's confusing that the class found explorers walking around in the time of the dinosaurs.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun/interesting premise but it's bogged down with entirely too much clunky writing and over-explaining of stuff. (Kids are much smarter than the author seems to realize.)

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

48 months - O loves the Miss Smith series, especially the haunted library but she enjoyed this one too.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic illustration!

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

dinos, adventure, The Lost World by Doyle
(Hm. Doyle or Conan Doyle? Whichever)

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan picked this one out himself from his school's media center. He loved the idea of having a magical book that makes worlds come to life. But, then again, who doesn't like that idea?

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked another book by this author/illustrator