The Eighteenth Emergency (Camelot Book) [Paperback]

Betsy Byars (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1981 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Camelot Book

When the toughest boy in school swears to kill him, twelve year-old Mouse finds little help from friends and must prepare for this emergency alone.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; First edition (July 30, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140314512
• ISBN-13: 978-0140314519
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,077,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Byars, Betsy

More About the Author

Betsy Byars is a Newbery Medal winner and a National Book Award winner. Her books have appeared on the best books lists of the American Library Association, School Library Journal, and American Bookseller, among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from one of the best children's author, January 2, 2000

By 

Chris "The BBC American" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eighteenth Emergency (Camelot Book) (Paperback)

Betsy at her best: funny, original, perceptive, and sensitive. This book does a highly comendable job at teaching an admirable lesson, by focusing on the humorous idiosyncracies of her main character and the sympathetic plight he finds himself in rather than being preachy and heavy-handed, and slips the lesson in quietly and slyly at the end.

Apparently, however, not everyone catches Byars' perceptive humor, though this book is an amusement park of wonderful wit. If you don't find her funny, then it is probable that the story will not hold your attention. Most of the book stays inside of Mouse's (the protagonist) head, so if you aren't charmed by Mouse, then you will quickly lose interest.

My reaction was one of complete enthrallment in Mouse's perception of and grappling with his predicament. Byars draws the supporting cast and environment of her heroes with the familiarity and perspective of their ages. I frequently find myself laughing in recognition and remembrance of similar childhood perceptions and people. Her humor, also, runs freely and easily and frequently and compellingly.

Don't let this author pass you by. The 18th Emergency is a wonderful introduction to her, and a must for familiar fans!

4.0 out of 5 stars Predictable? I think not!, July 6, 2011

By 

Sean J. Hagins (Lancaster, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The 18th Emergency (Hardcover)

I don't know why everyone thinks this book is predictable! When i read this book for the first time as a kid, i thought either Benji would either find some way to make things right with Hammerman (so he wouldn't fight), or teachers (or other adults) would find out about the cloud of Marv hanging over Benji's head and stop Hammerman. The fact that there WAS a fight still surprises me.

I think the suthor has a great way of writing children's books-she doesn't talk down to kids, but she relates Mouse's thoughts and feelings in the way a child can relate to. Also, i like how it gives a good perspective on urban life.

If anything, i don't like how disinterested Benji's mother was, but sadly many parents just don't take enough time for their kids

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn't Engage Me (as a kid), May 7, 2011

By 

Tim W - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eighteenth Emergency (Camelot Book) (Paperback)

I purchased & read this book in middle high school, attracted by the promise of trying to figure out how to deal with bullies. Yes, there were a few funny bits, but it never really "worked" for me -- never engaged my attention. (Didn't have much helpful to say about bullies, either.) The tone and scenery struck me as dismal, Mouse's life seemed pretty pointless and depressing. I re-read it several times, thinking I must be missing something, or needed to give it more of a chance. Nope. Anyway, just fossilized point of view from a kid who read it back when it was new.