Great follow up to the Train to Impossible Places. Even more adventure and thrills with new, interesting characters and adventure at every turn! Great middle grade adventure for even the most reluctant readers.

Another great adventure with Suzy and the gang! The best part of the second book in a fantasy series is that you can skip the world and character building to get right to the story. Suzy is invited back to the world of impossible places to celebrate the rebuilding of the Express. Suzy isn’t back for long when an earthquake strikes Trollville. In an effort to help, they soon discover that someone is out to steal a treasure hidden beneath the city, and the earthquake is actually the work of a drill! Racing all over the impossible places to figure out who is behind the evil plot (that will soon destroy Trollville), we are introduced to friends (and enemies) both old and new, and each new revelation will keep you guessing! This is a fun book with vivid imagery, and a unique story line that will keep kids engaged. Pick up the first two books for that special kid in your life. They’ll love them! Bell leaves you with an ultimate teaser that has me ready for book number 3!

I was given an early copy of this manuscript through NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Macmillan's Children's Publishing Group for an advance copy of The Great Brain Robbery (A Train to Impossible Places, #2) by P.G. Bell. All opinions are my own.

Suzy Smith returns to the land of Impossible Places or the re-launch of the Impossible Post Express. While in Trollville reuniting with her old friends, an earthquake hits. Suzy, Frederick, Wilmot and the rest of the gang uncover a dubious plot to steal a hidden treasure buried deep beneath Trollville. The attempts to break into the vault threaten to bring down the whole city. It is up to Suzy and her friends to stop the culprits, solve the mystery, save Trollville, and maybe deliver some mail along the way.

The second book in the series was just as fun, funny, and magical as the first. The world Bell has created is vibrant and unique. I love that magic, logic, and physics (I mean fuzzics) function differently than in other fantasy novels. Suzy is a strong female protagonist with a big heart and a good head on her shoulders. It was also fun to get to know Frederick as his true self rather than a snow globe frog. This book is full of twists and turns and I wasn't able to predict most of the plot. This is perfect for students who enjoy whimsical stories full of mystery and adventure.

I received an electronic ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group through NetGalley.
The second in the Train to Impossible Places series. The Posties are reunited to celebrate the rebuilt Express. The huge celebration takes place in Trollville to begin the book. Just as the king is blessing the train, an earthquake strikes. And, the adventures begin. Suzy and Wilmot work together and separately to save Trollville and the rest of the Impossible Places. Old enemies and tricksters reappear (Lord Meridian, Frederick) along the way to help save the locations from a new enemy and a hidden enemy.
Bell brings his worlds to life with clear descriptions and plenty of action to pull middle age readers in to this world. His characters have flaws and strengths and have to make compromises to move forward - just like in our lives.
Interesting twists at the end (no spoiler). Looking forward to book 3.

I hadn't read the first book, but enough details are provided so that readers could start with this second book in the series. There is lots of action to keep readers entertained, and plenty of imaginative magic, but the real draw of the story is Suzy. Her bravery, loyalty, and sense of adventure make her a wonderful heroine.

I really liked the first book I. This story but for some reason I didn’t really enjoy this one. I found myself thinking about other things constantly while I was reading. I think I was little disappointed that things didn’t center as much around the train and actually doing a posties job. There were still very cute elements and great characters.