Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls by Lynne Jonell
Illus. by Jonathan Bean. Random House Australia, 2009. ISBN:
9781741663280 (pbk)
(Ages: 10-13)This intriguing book features Emmy, a girl who has
made an amazing discovery. She has learnt how to communicate with
rodents, and when necessary, shrink to a size where she can enter the
active and vibrant rodent city.
In this second book in the series, Emmy and her best friend Joe and his
little brother Thomas become involved with the plight of five girls who
have mysteriously gone missing. Emmy's evil ex-nanny Miss Barmy became
a rat in the previous story and is now suspiciously conspiring to
ingratiate herself with the inhabitants of rodent city and Emmy wants
to know why. Furthermore, the controlling Miss Barmy and her parents
are secretly holding the five now miniature-sized girls captive in
their attic.
In contrast to all of these bizarre circumstances, Emmy is attempting
to befriend a group of girls from her school and bring a greater sense
of normality into her life. But it is proving difficult with her
frequent conversations with rats, chipmunks and other talkative
rodents. Eventually Emmy achieves her goals with a great deal of
teamwork from new and old friends and is able to overcome her
embarrassment at her involvement in the rodent world. She learns to
appreciate the support and friendship that the rodents provide and
gains a new level of self acceptance in her life.
In this novel, American author Lynne Jonell has written a complex and
detailed story with many twists and unexpected events. It may be
helpful to readers to have completed the previous novel Emmy and
the
Incredible Shrinking Rat to familiarise themselves with the many
characters and settings in this book. Some of the language and
references may suit an older primary school aged audience. The text
size is larger than you might expect and could encourage children who
may not otherwise attempt a book of this length. The illustrations by
Jonathan Bean provide a flip book style effect which is a fun addition
to the novel and the cover artwork is also appealing. A level of
tension builds throughout the story and will inspire a capable reader
to determine how Emmy and her friends resolve their many difficulties
in a pleasing conclusion.
Louise Illingworth
Stella Maris Parish School