Fun, not-too-scary school-themed spooks.
Weird is the norm in this school.
Gray-haired custodian Gertie guides readers through the cafetorium of Newville Elementary (home of the Flying Pickles!). A cafetorium can be anything you need it to be—a cafeteria, an auditorium, a gym, or maybe even an interdimensional portal. No matter what, though, odd, downright eerie stuff happens there—and also sometimes things that are just superannoying. Even the staff are weird; one never stops talking, and the other never says anything (some people believe they’re a robot). Six tales by different authors comprise this animated collection, each featuring a different protagonist but connected through recurring characters. The stories include a doppelgänger made of Jell-O, an earworm that continually plays in everyone’s heads, a sinister balloon in search of hot air, a basketball that won’t bounce, a book full of excuses (that come with a price), and a spotlight that focuses on the one person who most wants to avoid it. While the characters may be rolling their eyes or quaking in nervous fear, readers are more likely to have fits of giggles. A few loose ends are not resolved but add to the general atmosphere. Jung’s fun and kooky full-color illustrations add to the Saturday-morning–cartoon feel of the collection and include visual jokes for readers to enjoy. The illustrations depict characters with a range of skin tones.
Fun, not-too-scary school-themed spooks. (cast of characters, recipe) (Fiction. 7-10)Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5248-6880-2
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Review Posted Online: July 7, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
Aimed straight at proto-Goosebumps fans, this formulaic series opener pits two 9-year-olds against a great white shark with legs. Having lost his bike in a lake thanks to the latest hare-brained scheme of his impulsive cousin Henry, bookish Keats reluctantly agrees to finance a replacement by earning some money taking on odd jobs at a spooky local mansion. The prosaic task of weeding the garden quickly turns into an extended flight through a series of magical rooms after a shark monster rises out of the ground and gives chase. Dashing from one narrow squeak to the next, the lads encounter a kitchen with an invisible "sink," a giant vomiting bookworm in the library, a carpet pattern in the hall that (literally) bites and, most usefully, a magic wand that they get to keep (setting up future episodes) after spelling the monster away. Tilted points of view give the occasional illustrations more energy than the labored plot ever musters, and the characters rarely show even two dimensions. Fledgling readers will do better in the hands of Jim Benton’s Franny K. Stein series or Bruce and Katherine Coville’s Moongobble and Me books. (Horror. 8-10)
Pub Date: April 26, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-375-86675-3
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2011
A goofy, humorous fantasy for those seeking gentle frights.
Werewolf Bram is not a very good monster.
In his first year at a magical school for villainy, Bram is thoughtful and anxious and not at all scary, sporting a cozy pullover, adorable curls of dark hair, and a quizzical expression. The other students—including enormous, fluffy, auburn-haired lion Bryan; aloof, brown-skinned elf-witch Mona; and Mal, who resembles Frankenstein’s monster—initially shun him, but Bram persists, determined to make this term a success. Young readers will enjoy spotting Hammond’s literary influences, which range from Dracula to Harry Potter and Captain Underpants. The story has a foundational earnestness that, combined with the humorous wordplay, helps moderate the fear factor. After a rocky start, Bram and his student cohort learn to reveal their insecurities and collaborate as a supportive, successful team, leading to Bram’s winning the coveted title of Villain of the Week. The lively black-and-white illustrations throughout reinforce the sweetness for more sensitive readers, with even the main teacher of wickedness, cranky Master Mardybum, not looking too terrifying, and the oddball group of friends ultimately learning to affirm one another—and themselves. The quick pace, occasional speech bubbles, creative use of varied fonts, and light mystery element will keep readers turning the pages.
A goofy, humorous fantasy for those seeking gentle frights. (drawing instructions) (Paranormal. 7-10)Pub Date: June 25, 2024
ISBN: 9781665950046
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
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