View source for Dear Miss by Amy Husband

{{infobox
|title=Dear Miss
|author=Amy Husband
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=A fun story of a boy's supposed wild adventures, told through the letters to his teacher. The novelty doesn't wear thin, and it's thoroughly enjoyable. Recommended.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1845393731
|pages=24
|publisher=Meadowside Children's Books
|date=April 2009
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845393732</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1845393732</amazonus>
|website=http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=amyhusband
}}

It's Michael's first day back at school and he really doesn't fancy sitting through maths and double geography. He writes a letter to his teacher, explaining that the secret service have recruited him to rescue a missing explorer. Letter after letter of his adventures follow, until Miss counters with a letter of her own...

''Dear Miss'' is hilarious and will immediately strike a chord with children just starting school themselves. Those at infant school will get the most from it, although those who are younger and have no direct experience yet will still get the joke. Michael's flights of fancy are the stuff of any kid's daydreams, and his friendly cheekiness makes him a Bart Simpson-esque scamp that everyone will love.

Amy Husband's illustrations are designed to give the impression of having been drawn by Michael himself, which sets the tone of the book perfectly. As the story is told in letters, words and pictures have to be more in harmony than ever, which they certainly are. It all looks great and makes it a delight to read. In fact, the book itself is designed like a letter, with a flap that has to be opened. It's a small touch, but it does a great job of setting the scene.

Some books told through letters can miss the mark. They can get caught up in the method and pay too little attention to the narrative. ''Dear Miss'' is a million miles away from falling into this trap. Page after page piles on the plot, keeps the comedy coming thick and fast, and adds up to a really enjoyable book. Recommended.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

For another book told through letters, check out [[My Unwilling Witch (The Rumblewick Letters) by Hiawyn Oram]]. [[Little Bo Peep's Troublesome Sheep by Cressida Cowell]] has a lot of books within books to read, and strikes a similar fun tone to ''Dear Miss''. [[The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett]] is superb.

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{{amazonUStext|amazon=1845393732}}

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