From Publishers Weekly
The family of life-sized rag dolls scrambles to evade the meddlings of their curious neighbors in this third Mennyms novel, which PW called "another well-wrought fantasy." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8?This third installment in the rag-doll family saga tackles some tough questions about religion, the afterlife, and dating. The story begins with teenaged Pilbeam deciding she must go to the theater. The outing leads to trouble from a nosy (human) neighbor, and Sir Magnus, the family patriarch, declares a state of emergency. The situation worsens, and the rebellious Appleby, Pilbeam's sister, drags them all to the brink of disaster by opening a forbidden attic door. The Mennyms then turn into statues, and it takes divine intervention, in the form of the ghost of their creator, Kate Penshaw, to get it closed again. Appleby dies during the effort and the Mennyms must come to grips with this newest change in their lives. The book ends with life's milestones being reflected in the goings-on of the neighbors. Growing up, the consequences of forbidden action, and the grief of death are things that every family must endure, and if not for the fact that the Mennyms are dolls, this would be nothing more than a slice-of-life story about a family of paranoids. Waugh has created characters of depth and distinction, and she has a good ear for dialogue. Even so, the pace is tedious and the plot ponderously flat until the last 50 or so pages, when Appleby discovers the door. It seems likely that only diehard fans will want to plow through this story. Buy where there is a demand for Mennym shenanigans.?Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
