Creatureton Elementary

by Anthony Paolucci

Eighth grader Sally Salamander Squibly is the unfortunate progeny of a Vampiress and a Werewolf. Why unfortunate you ask? Because Sally was born completely normal. Life at Creatureton Elementary is a daily trial, a result of the physical and profound differences that separate poor Sally from her monster peers. Relentlessly taunted and bullied, she perseveres while seeking solace in her friendship with a human boy named Logan. Then one day, she is offered a chance to be like the other children, only on a much grander scale. The temptation of power is great, and Sally must choose between her sad but dignified life, and an opportunity to rise above the torment. Will the results be everything that she had hoped for and anticipated? Then there is the matter of her parents' dark and troubled past, and the mysterious villain who may or may not be after young Sally.

Kindle edition available at www.amazon.com

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2012

About the author

Since 2009, Anthony Paolucci has self-published over 40 books spanning multiple genres and age groups—from whimsical picture books for preschoolers to thought-provoking fiction for teens and adults. His work reflects a deep commitment to creative independence, allowing him to explore a wide range of themes, including identity, morality, love, and the complexities of the human experience.

Anthony works as a proofreader and writer at Park Group Solutions, an advertising agency based in Connecticut, and he is the drummer for indie piano-rock band Passing Strange (NeuroTronix Records).

In addition to his self-published portfolio, Anthony’s short fiction has been traditionally published in literary magazines such as Literary Yard and Children, Churches & Daddies, showcasing his range and depth as a writer.

Whether he’s crafting tales for young readers or exploring darker, more introspective terrain for adults, Anthony remains dedicated to telling honest, imaginative stories that resonate with readers of all ages.


PLEASE NOTE: The only current editions of my books can be purchased on Lulu.com. On Amazon, the only current versions are the Kindle editions.

Reviews

[Richard L. Haas III · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book I honestly believe it should have already received a film adaptation and I'm shocked that more people haven't discovered it. The book itself is like a good mixture of the themes and atmosphere of things like Harry Potter, Hotel Transylvania, Halloweentown, even a Monsters University etc. (I'd assume the sequels as well but I haven't read them just yet). I won't go into too many details because I don't want to ruin the story with spoilers, but I will mention a few things. One of my favorite things in the book is the concept of Automatic Writing, which of course in modern pop culture is simply when someone channels a spirit who uses that person's hand to write something, but Paolucci's idea of one person (or monster) channeling a spirit to deliver a message to another person. I love that. The characters are written very well where you can pretty much identify with each of them. Surprisingly, I found myself identifying with Logan more than Sally. Which is admittedly very different from what I would assume most people would identify with. Although it was a bit long, the intro to the novel was insightful and helped paint the imagery and tone of the rest of the novel. In that aspect, the choice to tell the story in the first person worked perfectly because otherwise it may feel as dry as the exposition in The Silmarillion could be. On the flip side, at times I had a hard time believing I was reading something told from the point-of-view of a thirteen year old girl-- monster or not. However, I believe this is more because I know the author personally so at first I kept imagining him instead of Sally. But I will say, that feeling did go away for me towards the middle of the novel. Holistically the structure was very interesting. We start with what is essentially a prologue, to a long first and second act, but once we get into the third act, the book is nearly over. Personally for me the end battle was something that I wanted to read more of. I hear that the tone shifts to being a bit darker in the next two, so maybe my thirst for more of that story-line will be quenched. Overall this is a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction. And I'm not just saying that. Read it for yourself!

[Janis Welch]

enjoyed it.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! First novel I read by this author and now it's my go-to series once fall hits. Instantly got hooked and went right into the second book. Like the Harry Potter series, the first story has a lighter, fun tone while the complexity quickly ramps up in the rest of the series.