Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Cuddly classroom pets must stop a group of rapacious rodents from ruining the elementary art show in this sequel to The Great Pet Escape (2016). In the second-grade classroom of Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary lives George Washington, a lovably plump tawny-and-white hamster. GW spends his days palling around with the other class pets, Sunflower the guinea pig and Barry the bunny, and also with his best friend, a pigtailed, white-skinned second-grader named Carina. When Carina's picture is chosen for the art show as the only second-grade submission, GW is thrilled. But the mischievous mouse Harriet and her murine minions have other plans for the art show, plotting to steal Carina's picture and having GW's gang sent away to St. Bart's Obedience School for Unruly Pets. Can GW and his friends work together to outsmart Harriet before she wrecks the show? This gentle graphic adventure's warm and inviting illustrations portray snuggleworthy characters resembling stuffed toys brought to life. The animated and adorable menagerie displays a pleasing blend of silliness and good-natured naughtiness, imparting a kind message of friendship without a hint of saccharinity. A sweet surprise ending with equal emphasis on humans and animals sets this apart from many critter tales. Though there's a plethora of choices in the rodent canon, this shines bright. (Graphic fantasy. 5-9)

ALA Booklist (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Life at Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary School has been quiet lately. The Furry Fiends spend their evenings in knitting circles and Scrabble tournaments, and GW has taken a liking to Carina, a student in his class. Is it possible GW is actually enjoying life as a second-grade-class pet? But when the Furry Fiends discover that Harriet, the dastardly evil mouse, has plans to ruin the school's art contest, it's up to GW and his pals to save the day. The second volume in what readers are surely hoping will be a long-lived series features the same winning blend of subtle humor, immensely likable characters, and high-action high jinks found in the first. GW, Barry, and Sunflower maximize their strengths by working together, and their ultimate success is a result of solid teamwork, loyalty, and friendship. Adhering primarily to a sequential panel layout, Jamieson supports the dialogue with highly expressive drawings that really bring the characters to life. Who knew the secret lives of grade-school pets could be so much fun?

Horn Book

Hamster GW, rabbit Barry, and guinea pig Sunflower (The Great Pet Escape) again face off with fiendish mouse Harriet, intent on framing GW for disrupting the elementary school's art show and getting him remanded to obedience school. The class pets employ teamwork (and art supplies) to outwit her. There's a lot happening in this zany graphic-novel chapter book; cleanly rendered panel illustrations help readers keep track.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Cuddly classroom pets must stop a group of rapacious rodents from ruining the elementary art show in this sequel to The Great Pet Escape (2016). In the second-grade classroom of Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary lives George Washington, a lovably plump tawny-and-white hamster. GW spends his days palling around with the other class pets, Sunflower the guinea pig and Barry the bunny, and also with his best friend, a pigtailed, white-skinned second-grader named Carina. When Carina's picture is chosen for the art show as the only second-grade submission, GW is thrilled. But the mischievous mouse Harriet and her murine minions have other plans for the art show, plotting to steal Carina's picture and having GW's gang sent away to St. Bart's Obedience School for Unruly Pets. Can GW and his friends work together to outsmart Harriet before she wrecks the show? This gentle graphic adventure's warm and inviting illustrations portray snuggleworthy characters resembling stuffed toys brought to life. The animated and adorable menagerie displays a pleasing blend of silliness and good-natured naughtiness, imparting a kind message of friendship without a hint of saccharinity. A sweet surprise ending with equal emphasis on humans and animals sets this apart from many critter tales. Though there's a plethora of choices in the rodent canon, this shines bright. (Graphic fantasy. 5-9)