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The Beastly Arms
An accessible middle-grade novel from popular author Patrick Jennings now in paperback. 11-year-old Nickel moves with his mother into a mysterious apartment building called The Beastly Arms.
11-year-old Nickel and his mother need to find a new apartment. When their search takes them to an unfamiliar part of the city, Nickel is drawn to a strange building at the end of an alley - a building called the Beastly Arms.
Even though the rent in dirt cheap and the apartment is beautiful, Nickel's mom thinks the Beastly Arms is creepy. So does his best friend, Inez. Even his pet kangaroo rat, Miriam, seems worried. But Nickel, an avid photographer who has a gift for seeing what others don't, senses that the Beastly Arms houses a secret that only he can unearth...
11-year-old Nickel and his mother need to find a new apartment. When their search takes them to an unfamiliar part of the city, Nickel is drawn to a strange building at the end of an alley - a building called the Beastly Arms.
Even though the rent in dirt cheap and the apartment is beautiful, Nickel's mom thinks the Beastly Arms is creepy. So does his best friend, Inez. Even his pet kangaroo rat, Miriam, seems worried. But Nickel, an avid photographer who has a gift for seeing what others don't, senses that the Beastly Arms houses a secret that only he can unearth...
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
3 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 11, 2019
3.75 stars
A truly wonderful middle grade read with a lesson to be learned.
When Nickel and his mother move into the Beastly Arms apartments, little did they know what the other tenants were like. The constant bad odor that permeates the building is displeasing, but the rent is so cheap. Nickel, who has a pet pack rat that spends a lot of time in his shirt pocket, knows the owner, Mr. Beastly, is hiding something. But what?
Gradually, through some sneaking around the building, Nickel begins to put together the pieces of the mystery. And when Mr. Beastly (real name: Mr. Beasley) introduces Nickel to the other tenants, his questions are answered and his theories proven correct. But Nickels' mother is extremely upset when she learns the truth.
Through some very persuasive talk, Nickel and Mr. Beastly convince her that the other tenants are harmless and she decides to stay in the building.
Wonderfully written, this book was a pleasurable read with a lesson for the readers to learn. Even though it was written years ago, the message is still prevalent today.
Oh, you're wondering about the other tenants? Who are they? Read and find out!
A truly wonderful middle grade read with a lesson to be learned.
When Nickel and his mother move into the Beastly Arms apartments, little did they know what the other tenants were like. The constant bad odor that permeates the building is displeasing, but the rent is so cheap. Nickel, who has a pet pack rat that spends a lot of time in his shirt pocket, knows the owner, Mr. Beastly, is hiding something. But what?
Gradually, through some sneaking around the building, Nickel begins to put together the pieces of the mystery. And when Mr. Beastly (real name: Mr. Beasley) introduces Nickel to the other tenants, his questions are answered and his theories proven correct. But Nickels' mother is extremely upset when she learns the truth.
Through some very persuasive talk, Nickel and Mr. Beastly convince her that the other tenants are harmless and she decides to stay in the building.
Wonderfully written, this book was a pleasurable read with a lesson for the readers to learn. Even though it was written years ago, the message is still prevalent today.
Oh, you're wondering about the other tenants? Who are they? Read and find out!
May 21, 2018
A quick an easy read that has a mystery that needs to be solved. The main protagonist is a boy who gets easy tantalized and distracted by animals and photography. References to how vision behaves are readily available. This story can teach what it means to understand another and what good parenting looks like.
The lessons from this book revolve around the division between nature and the city. With the city, everything is organized while nature likes being messy. A city sees people as pests. As animals are a theme of this book, every character gets an animal reference. Although people do not like being described by animal characteristics, people are animals too.
The lessons from this book revolve around the division between nature and the city. With the city, everything is organized while nature likes being messy. A city sees people as pests. As animals are a theme of this book, every character gets an animal reference. Although people do not like being described by animal characteristics, people are animals too.
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November 16, 2011This book was interesting enough. If I liked anything about it, it would be how people's first perceptions are often wrong. If I took anything from this book, it would have to be the author's way of keeping me wanting to read to until the end to see just how things really were.
January 19, 2025
Nickel lives with his mom and kangaroo rat, Miriam, in an apartment in NYC. The landlord has jacked up the rent for the third time, and despite holding down two jobs, Nickel’s mom says they can’t afford to live there anymore and have to move. Nickel and his BF, Inez, are unhappy, afraid he will have to move schools.
Nickel is a dreamer who likes to take black and white photos of clouds that look like animals and then develop them at studio where his mom teaches (a lot of photography steps explained but probably boring to today’s kids).
While Nickel and his mom are apartment hunting, Nickel stumbles upon an alley with a door at the end which intrigues him. He meets Mr. Beastly who likes Nickel and Miriam. He says he has an apartment for rent. Nickel and Inez go back to investigate. Nickel is still curious, convinced that Mr. Beastly has a secret. Mr. Beastly offers the apartment at such a low rate that after Mom sees the size, she can’t refuse.
Before they can move, Inez is hit by a car and in the hospital. Some of Mom’s friends, Nickel’s teacher who is becoming good friends with his mom, and Inez’s dad help with the move. All notice an animal smell in the apartment.
Turns out the apartment building is harboring animals. Mr. Beastly has a menagerie.
Ends up with Inez getting better, Nickel helps Mr. Beastly with the animals, his teacher helps too. Mom knows the secret and is giving the place a chance. She doesn’t have to waitress anymore.
Nickel is a dreamer who likes to take black and white photos of clouds that look like animals and then develop them at studio where his mom teaches (a lot of photography steps explained but probably boring to today’s kids).
While Nickel and his mom are apartment hunting, Nickel stumbles upon an alley with a door at the end which intrigues him. He meets Mr. Beastly who likes Nickel and Miriam. He says he has an apartment for rent. Nickel and Inez go back to investigate. Nickel is still curious, convinced that Mr. Beastly has a secret. Mr. Beastly offers the apartment at such a low rate that after Mom sees the size, she can’t refuse.
Before they can move, Inez is hit by a car and in the hospital. Some of Mom’s friends, Nickel’s teacher who is becoming good friends with his mom, and Inez’s dad help with the move. All notice an animal smell in the apartment.
Turns out the apartment building is harboring animals. Mr. Beastly has a menagerie.
Ends up with Inez getting better, Nickel helps Mr. Beastly with the animals, his teacher helps too. Mom knows the secret and is giving the place a chance. She doesn’t have to waitress anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2018
The Beastly Arms is a mystery novel by Patrick Jennings. I would not recommend this book. It does a bad job of hooking the reader, it's a really slow read, never makes any progress in the plot, and just talks about the same things over and over. I find it noteworthy how boring it is. There is never a part of it where it is interesting. Also, there is nothing in this that relates to mystery at all. The only part that is supposedly the mystery of the book doesn't even count as mystery. They got a room in an apartment building, and the cost of rent was cheap. So apparently that implies that there is a mystery with the apartment. Just because the rent isn't very much, doesn't mean there's something wrong with the apartment. I love mystery books. It was my favorite genre to read as a kid. This though is a horrible mystery book. There is no conflict or mystery or conclusion to this book whatsoever.
November 25, 2023
The main character likes taking pictures and imagining shapes in clouds and dust and assigns animal names to people's faces. Extensive details about photography.
Slow start.
Nickel has a very excellent friend, Inez, who is in tune with his oddities.
The story became more interesting when the Beastly Arms finally appeared.
Many speculations about the human condition and humans as animals and interactions with nature. A commentary on the effects of buildings and cars on nature, animals, and people.
Slow start.
Nickel has a very excellent friend, Inez, who is in tune with his oddities.
The story became more interesting when the Beastly Arms finally appeared.
Many speculations about the human condition and humans as animals and interactions with nature. A commentary on the effects of buildings and cars on nature, animals, and people.
July 23, 2011
Nickel and his mom move to a new apartment. The owner, Mr. Beastly, has a secret that Nickel is determined to find out. This book is a good reminder to take care of our world as it is the only one we get.
May 22, 2012
Beastly Arms is one of those books that you recommend to people that like mysterious and adventurous books because this book has a lot of it this kid is trying to figure out a mysterious hotel that is very creepy.
Currently reading
March 21, 2008Reading this one with Ella, and wondering which animals we'll be seeing around us today...
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May 19, 2008JF Jen
February 8, 2015
Jennings never disappoints YA readers.
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November 7, 2009i learned that life is full of surprises
February 24, 2010
Really well drawn characters -- kids always wanted to know what was going to happen next. What a clever idea, to save habitat inside an apt building.
December 6, 2010
This is an amazing book. I know the name is horrible but its very decieving. Never judge a book by its cover. I reccomend this book to all readers.
February 17, 2025
One or both of the girls read this first.
I still think about it, over a decade later.
I still think about it, over a decade later.
June 16, 2014
It was meh.
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June 17, 2014Read alike to Under the Egg?
November 17, 2015
Wow, the level of detail in this book is amazing and I loved the mystery and the characters.
October 14, 2015
A strange story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews