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Millicent the Magnificent
On the first day of fourth grade Millicent learns her name means "industrious and true". She is outraged and spends the year trying to prove she really is "magnificent", getting into lots of troublesome situations along the way.
- GenresMiddle Grade
180 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 20, 2021
I sincerely believe that this book should be far better known. Perhaps the fact that it was printed as one of the many Scholastic Apple Paperbacks didn't help. As far as I can tell, there were never any re-prints, which is a shame. I could easily see this overlooked gem having a place in timeless children's literature.
I'm so glad that I recently decided to revisit this childhood gem. This is one of those children's novels that can definitely be read by adults as well, and is possibly even better now, as I'm able to grasp just how ridiculous and entertaining Millicent's many misadventures are. Plus, the tired and exasperated sighing of her parents, the raised eyebrows of her teachers, are all the more hilarious to read now as an adult.
The main character Millicent is our marvelous star of the show. The plot centers around her discovering at school that her name means "industrious and true," while her fellow student's names have more glamorous meanings. She is outraged, and sets out to earn herself the moniker of "magnificent" attached to her name at the end - but her various exploits only end up getting her in trouble.
The character that Ransom has created in Millicent is flawless and a great adventure to read about. Ransom perfectly captures the voice of childhood, and Millicent comes vividly to life. She is wildly entertaining, with her desire to always be first and best at everything, her untamed eagerness to prove herself, her overly dramatic way of looking at the world, and her "showstopper" mischievousness.
So many pages had me laughing out loud in this hilarious book.
For example: "Two more days! At the rate they were going, Millicent wouldn't be magnificent for at least another week. She didn't know if she could wait that long."
When Millicent is unsuccessful at convincing the teacher that the best flute player in the class should perform a solo at Parent's Night, she decides to take matters into her own hands. After her entire class performs, she stands up and plays a solo of her own, much to the adult's shock! Millicent fantasizes that after her unscheduled performance, people will flock to her with bouquets and applause, when sadly all she gets is laughter and a scolding.
Or when she is on the prowl for a Guinness World Record she could break, and lands on continuous swinging: "People could stand in her backyard and marvel as she swung hour after hour. Look at that girl swing, she imaged spectators gasping. Such stamina! Such balance!
This is a very fun, marvelous read and definitely recommended!
I'm so glad that I recently decided to revisit this childhood gem. This is one of those children's novels that can definitely be read by adults as well, and is possibly even better now, as I'm able to grasp just how ridiculous and entertaining Millicent's many misadventures are. Plus, the tired and exasperated sighing of her parents, the raised eyebrows of her teachers, are all the more hilarious to read now as an adult.
The main character Millicent is our marvelous star of the show. The plot centers around her discovering at school that her name means "industrious and true," while her fellow student's names have more glamorous meanings. She is outraged, and sets out to earn herself the moniker of "magnificent" attached to her name at the end - but her various exploits only end up getting her in trouble.
The character that Ransom has created in Millicent is flawless and a great adventure to read about. Ransom perfectly captures the voice of childhood, and Millicent comes vividly to life. She is wildly entertaining, with her desire to always be first and best at everything, her untamed eagerness to prove herself, her overly dramatic way of looking at the world, and her "showstopper" mischievousness.
So many pages had me laughing out loud in this hilarious book.
For example: "Two more days! At the rate they were going, Millicent wouldn't be magnificent for at least another week. She didn't know if she could wait that long."
When Millicent is unsuccessful at convincing the teacher that the best flute player in the class should perform a solo at Parent's Night, she decides to take matters into her own hands. After her entire class performs, she stands up and plays a solo of her own, much to the adult's shock! Millicent fantasizes that after her unscheduled performance, people will flock to her with bouquets and applause, when sadly all she gets is laughter and a scolding.
Or when she is on the prowl for a Guinness World Record she could break, and lands on continuous swinging: "People could stand in her backyard and marvel as she swung hour after hour. Look at that girl swing, she imaged spectators gasping. Such stamina! Such balance!
This is a very fun, marvelous read and definitely recommended!
January 5, 2022
3 1/2***
May 8, 2022
Cute and funny and Millicent is an endearing character.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews