Mennyms in the Wilderness [Hardcover]

Sylvia Waugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1995 | Age Level: 10 and up

When their home is threatened by highway construction, the Mennyms are forced to relocate, and while they struggle to adjust to new surroundings, they face the fear of discovery by the outside world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Waugh's second book is just as good as The Mennyms, and maybe even better-her characters, outsize rag dolls who have come to life, are a lot more believable than many fictional human families. Everything goes wrong at Brocklehurst Grove when the Mennyms once again receive a letter from Albert Pond (the real one, not the mystical Australian whose letter caused such trouble in the first book). Albert-an orphaned, ineffectual-seeming university lecturer-has been made aware (by the ghost of Aunt Kate, the Mennyms' creator and Albert's own great-great-aunt) of the town council's fiendish plans to raze the family home and to "drive a motorway right through the house." In order to shield the Mennyms from curious human eyes, Albert takes them to a gloomy, isolated country house. Though they pine for Brocklehurst Grove, the Mennyms' new life is not without its adventures. A hilariously suspenseful episode in which Soobie, the blue Mennym, is held prisoner by a gang of boys who want him for their Guy Fawkes' Day bonfire allows Waugh to explore the relationship between dolls and humans with her own blend of delicious whimsy and rigorous logic. An odd, enchanting and thoroughly satisfying fantasy. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8?The Mennyms (Greenwillow, 1994) have returned with a similar dilemma to that of Mary Norton's miniature folk, The Borrowers (Harcourt, 1953): they must leave their familiar and comfortable home. The family of rag dolls, mysteriously given life and personalities by their creator, the deceased Kate Penshaw, has lived peaceably for 40 years in Kate's home in Brocklehurst Grove. Now the Mennyms are being threatened by a proposed motorway that may take their house and others in the Grove. This crisis prompts Kate's ghost to appear to her great-nephew, Albert Pond, asking him to intervene on their behalf. The dolls' contact with humans has been, of necessity, limited; Albert is incredulous, but willing. What ensues is a totally believable series of events in which the man transports them to a country mansion that has long been vacant but is still in his family. Each of the Mennyms reacts to the move differently, and that is the strength of Waugh's writing?the characterizations are exceptionally vivid and true. Plotting is stronger and faster paced than in the first book, and children will enjoy the excitement of motorbike rides and a kidnapping as well as the family's dilemma, which is resolved in the end. A great read-aloud choice.?Connie C. Rockman, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688138209
• ISBN-13: 978-0688138202
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,885,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haley and Annie think this book is destined to be a classic!, December 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mennyms in the Wilderness (Paperback)

we are twins, and usually have the same taste in books. when annie brought home this book and started reading it, she couldn't stop!!! she read the whole book in one day!! then, i tried reading it and read it all in one day! this book really keeps you on your toes. it is full of adventure and is extremely humorous. we especially liked the part when they were following Albert Pond through the wilderness, because it was full of adventure, and you never knew what was going to happen next!!! we think every person should have the oppurtunity to read this wonderful book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awsome! A MUST READ FOR BOOK WORMS!, October 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mennyms in the Wilderness (Hardcover)

I read this book before I read the prequil, The Mennyms. It didn't really matter, because this one is soooo much better and easyer(sp) to understand than the 1st one. I love my copie. I've read this book( and I'm proud ) 4 TIMES! I read the first one recently, and It was not very informative. I learned more about the Mennyms in Mennyms in the Wilderness than in The Mennyms! I'm not saying don't read The Mennyms, But this is a must read Like I said. Too Bad My Library Only Has The Mennyms and The Mennyms in the Wilderness. I am HOPING to get the rest of the Mennym books this X-mas. See Ya!

4.0 out of 5 stars Becoming too Human?, May 9, 2011

By 

Gale Finlayson "PLUME45" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mennyms in the Wilderness (Paperback)

With tender insight into human nature, extremely clever plotting and stormy family dynamics, Sylvia Waugh has written a delightful sequel to THE MENYMS. This large family of rag dolls--made by dear, deceased Aunt Kate--leads a secluded life in a quiet residential area; they Pretend both indoors and outside (for the benefit of neighbors) to perform the normal daily tasks of real people. But the fear of discovery--that they are not human after all--demands both caution (usually) and deception as ways of life.

This story opens with a warning letter from the Real Albert Pond that the area will be razed for a new highway project. Having been instructed by Aunt Kate's ghost to protect her endangered creations, modest Albert loyally undertakes to defend his new "relatives" by transferring them to his ancient homestead in the country, Comus House. In learning to love this family--with all their foibles, squabbles and passionate attitudes--Albert must learn to live in two worlds. Can he become man enough to face a variety of dangers for love of this group of oddball rag dolls? The fascinating storyline is interspersed with struggles of intergenerational relationships: a runaway and a kidnapping and an impending Bonfire provide literary excitement. A charmer--for kids of all ages!