Alice-Miranda on Vacation

by Jacqueline Harvey

Overview

Girls who are fans of Judy Moody, Matilda and Clementine will love Alice-Miranda, the  precocious and endearing heroine whose adventures continue in book #2 of the Alice-Miranda series. 

Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones has survived her first semester at boarding school. Now she's headed home for break—and she's invited Jacinta Headlington-Bear, the school's second-best tantrum thrower, to join her. The two girls are looking forward to a fun mini-vacation. Nothing too eventful! But a cranky boy is causing mischief, a movie star has come to visit, and a stranger is snooping around. Add a naughty pony, a hint of romance, and a dastardly scheme, and Jacinta and Alice-Miranda might have a more exciting time than they ever expected. . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780375898594
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	04/10/2012
Series:	Alice-Miranda Series
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

JACQUELINE HARVEY has spent her working life teaching in girls' boarding schools. She has also published three novels for young readers as well as a picture book in her native Australia.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 2–4—Seven-and-a-half-year-old Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones bids farewell to her beloved boarding school, Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies. It's term break, and she is going home to Highton Hall for what the headmistress hopes will be "purely childish pursuits," taking Jacinita Headlington-Bear, "the school's former second-best tantrum thrower," with her. The classmates are welcomed with open arms by the warm staff, including the cook, Mrs. Oliver, who has created FDF (Freeze-Dried Foods), a valuable invention that could help starving and malnourished countries. When a rock-throwing, foulmouthed boy greets them as they enter the palatial grounds, strange and potentially harmful events begin to unfold. A mysterious black car; a suspicious, surprise visit from a handsome movie star; and unexplained footsteps in former housekeeper Granny Bert's Rose Cottage are a few of the puzzles that keep the young sleuths searching for explanations. Young Anglophiles will enjoy the chatter of this upper-crust cast of characters and their luxurious surroundings. The text has an oversupply of certain words, especially "lovely" and "darling," but the intriguing mysteries and number of unsavory characters will keep readers tuned in to see what happens next. A helpful list of characters is included.—Diane McCabe, Loyola Village Elementary School, Los Angeles

School Library Journal

The dauntless Alice-Miranda returns in a sequel fraught with mystery (Alice-Miranda at School, 2011). Having resolved the problems at her boarding school, Alice-Miranda is looking forward to her school holiday. However, with a penchant for seeking out mysteries, the plucky sleuth is soon surrounded by intrigue. With a cast of both familiar and new characters, Harvey moves the action to the bucolic estate of Alice-Miranda's family. Accompanied by her school friend Jacinta, Alice-Miranda soon uncovers several puzzling scenarios: A famous movie star is staying with Alice-Miranda's family, an enigmatic driver of an unknown car secretly visits Granny Bert, Daisy the maid spends her days crying and a new bully is on the scene. The forthright Jacinta provides a nice foil for Alice-Miranda's unwavering sweetness. A dash of corporate espionage involving a top-secret formula and a royal abduction make for thrilling adventures for the duo. Harvey provides ample clues for the clever Alice-Miranda--and perceptive readers--as she unravels the tangled plots surrounding her family and friends. With her trademark aplomb, Alice-Miranda successfully routs bumbling criminals without ever compromising her impeccable manners. This dashing adventure is a satisfying addition to this lively series. (Mystery. 7-11)

Kirkus Reviews