Miss Nelson Is Back Book

Sweet Miss Nelson has a new class of students in Room 207, but like their predecessors in Miss Nelson Is Missing! , they have a talent for trouble, and like to test the boundaries a bit! When Miss Nelson must miss a week of school, after having her tonsils out, the children at first imagine that this will give them the perfect opportunity to act up. Then they hear the stories of scary substitute teacher Miss Viola Swamp, who appeared the last time Miss Nelson was missing. But will even that threat be enough to dissuade them from misbehaving, when boring Principal Blandsworth turns out to be their substitute instead?

This humorous second adventure to feature Miss Nelson and her surly counterpart, Miss Swamp, is just as fun as the first, with twice as many devious disguises! Students and teacher both get in on the act (with an interesting double-disguise at one point) in Allard's droll narrative, which is perfectly matched by James Marshall's zany illustrations. The style here is rather cartoon-like - fans of the artist's George and Martha books will know what to expect - and works very well with the over-the-top story. All in all, Miss Nelson Is Back is a most engaging follow-up to the initial Miss Nelson adventure, and more than enough to convince me to pick up the third, Miss Nelson Has a Field Day !