Not-So-Weird Emma - Hardcover

Sally Warner (www.sallywarner.com) has published more than twenty novels for young readers, including the Emma and EllRay Jakes series. She lives in Altadena, California with her husband and their not-so-miniature dachshund, Rocky. 

Grade 2-3–Emma is back in another story about life in third grade. This time, she becomes embroiled in a war of words with her sometimes-friend, sometimes-foe, Cynthia Harbison. After Emma has had enough of Cynthia's name-calling and jealousy, she decides to create a nickname that will teach her a lesson. She comes up with Bossy Pants, and it spreads among her classmates like wildfire. Unfortunately, it also reaches the ears of her teacher. While the first-person narrative creates some interest, this sequel to Only Emma (Viking, 2005) is slight and uninspired. Even the much-anticipated special treat from Ms. Sanchez that awaits Emma and her classmates is something of a letdown. Harper's spunky black-and-white illustrations work well with the text, even though in some panels Emma and her precocious group of girls look more mature than their eight years. Readers may find this an acceptable substitute while waiting for upcoming installments about Judy Moody or Clarice Bean, but there's not enough humor or story here to make it anything but an additional purchase.–Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada
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