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Synopsis
emma Mcgraw is slowly making friends at her new school. but when Cynthia calls her weird, emma is shocked. they are supposed to be best friends! in response, emma decides that Cynthia's new name should be bossy pants, and she tells everyone in the class. Now the entire third grade is trading nicknames. And while it starts out being funny, emma begins to see the downside of name-calling. but just when she decides it's time for apologies, her teacher makes the most dreaded call of all—the one to everyone's parents.
Lauri Berkenkamp - Children's Literature
In this second title relating the adventures of the independent-minded third grader, Emma McGraw, Emma is just beginning to make new friends at her new school. Her first and so far only friend Cynthia does not like it that Emma is striking up friendships on her own. When Emma and another girl named Annie Pat start talking together, Cynthia calls Emma weird and makes fun of the animal posters and collections Emma has in her room, in front of several other girls. Emma and Annie Pat plan to get back at Cynthia by calling her "Bossypants," which leads to an epidemic of name-calling in Emma's third-grade class. Things get so bad that Emma's teacher, Ms. Sanchez, threatens to cancel the surprise field trip on Friday afternoon. Eventually, Emma leads the class in apologizing and making amends, and Ms. Sanchez's third graders enjoy a special afternoon playing with a giant parachute. Younger readers will likely enjoy the minor dramas of life as a new girl in elementary school, where conflicts are resolved by good sportsmanship, and a heartfelt apology makes friendships whole again. As a narrator Emily is lively and personable, although at times she sounds more like an adult than an eight-year-old. Illustrations of Emma and her friends, and small factoids about the animals Emma loves are scattered throughout the book and are a nice touch. 2005, Viking, Ages 8 to 12.