King Emmett the Second

by Mary Stolz, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

Emmett endures the death of his pet pig and his family's move from New York City to Ohio and finally comes to accept the thought of getting another pet.

56 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Mary Stolz was a noted author for children and adolescents whose novels earned critical praise for the seriousness with which they took the problems of young people. Two of her books ''Belling the Tiger'' (1961) and ''The Noonday Friends'' (1965), were named Newbery Honor books by the ALA but it was her novels for young adults that combined romance with realistic situations that won devotion from her fans. Young men often created more problems and did not always provide happy ever after endings. Her heroines had to cope with complex situations and learn how to take action whether it was working as nurses (The Organdy Cupcakes), living in a housing project (Ready or Not), or escaping from being a social misfit by working for the summer as a waitress (The Sea Gulls Woke Me).

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly nuanced and satisfying. It's not an easy reader like the original Emmett's Pig; this is five chapters, 8-12 pages each. The behavior of Emmett and his parents and their interactions are described in an extremely realistic way. It is not simplified or whitewashed. You get an accurate impression of the complicated way that families work. There's a lot of depth.

There are only a half dozen illustrations. I wonder if this was culled together from leftovers. It doesn't really need pictures, but I guess the continuity with the other book is nice to have.

It's slightly disturbing that bologna is the pig's favorite food.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about moving and pets.

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118377