Eighteenth Emergency (Camelot Book)

Rating:
Summary: Another gem from one of the best children's author
Review: Betsy at her best: funny, original, perceptive, and sensitive. This book does a highly comendable job at teaching an admirable lesson, by focusing on the humorous idiosyncracies of her main character and the sympathetic plight he finds himself in rather than being preachy and heavy-handed, and slips the lesson in quietly and slyly at the end.

Apparently, however, not everyone catches Byars' perceptive humor, though this book is an amusement park of wonderful wit. If you don't find her funny, then it is probable that the story will not hold your attention. Most of the book stays inside of Mouse's (the protagonist) head, so if you aren't charmed by Mouse, then you will quickly lose interest.

My reaction was one of complete enthrallment in Mouse's perception of and grappling with his predicament. Byars draws the supporting cast and environment of her heroes with the familiarity and perspective of their ages. I frequently find myself laughing in recognition and remembrance of similar childhood perceptions and people. Her humor, also, runs freely and easily and frequently and compellingly.

Don't let this author pass you by. The 18th Emergency is a wonderful introduction to her, and a must for familiar fans!

Rating:
Summary: Bold but Boring
Review: The 18th Emergency had bold and interesting characters. I liked how the author expressed the characteristic traits through metaphors and simlies. The author also did a nice job relateing the charaters to a real life. The problem with the book was it was to predictable and not as exciting as I hoped it would be.

Rating:
Summary: 18th Emergency
Review: This story is about a boy who loves making little notes onthings. One day he writes a note on a science poster about ealyman. He puts the name of the school bully with an arrow pointing to the neanderthal man. The school bully was right behind him and saw him write it! He runs from the bully throughout the story and... well you can find out for yourself. END