Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat (Emmy and the Rat #1), by Lynne Jonell

(Paperback, 368 pages, first published in 2007)

Emmy was a good girl. At least she tried very hard to be good. She did her homework without being told. She ate all her vegetables, even the slimy ones. And she never talked back to her nanny, Miss Barmy, although it was almost impossible to keep quiet—some days. Honestly, Emmy really was a little too good. Which is why she liked to sit by the Rat. The Rat was not good at all. . . .

• “A droll fantasy with an old-fashioned sweep and a positively cinematic cast.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
  
• “A mystery is cleverly woven into this fun and, at times, hilarious caper, and children are likely to find themselves laughing out loud . . . a delightful read.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
  
• “Jonell takes readers on a merry, sometimes scary romp [that] turns smoothly on its fanciful premise and fabulous characters. As in so many stories featuring a rat, the sneaky rodent gets the best lines.”—Booklist, Starred Review
  
• “Fun and funny, this fast-paced page turner appropriately begins and ends with the unforgettable Rat in an acrobatic flip-book feature.”—Kirkus Reviews

Cautions: None

Ages: 8-12