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Monster Mountain
“There’s mysterious creatures lurking in them there woods…”
Twelve-year-old Nicky is a gamer, and hanging out online with her bestie, Winnie, is her favorite pastime. The only thing she’d love more would be to meet up IRL. The dream comes true when Gram and Gramps invite Nicky, Winnie, and Nicky’s little brother, Ben, to visit them in the North Carolina mountains one summer.
The dream quickly turns into a nightmare, however, when they go hiking at a state park and stumble through a portal into a very strange world. This is no ordinary mountain. It is home to Boojums, Wampus Cats, and other creatures straight out of North Carolina myth and legend. It will take all of the kids’ teamwork and courage to find their way home—or they’ll be trapped on Monster Mountain forever!
Twelve-year-old Nicky is a gamer, and hanging out online with her bestie, Winnie, is her favorite pastime. The only thing she’d love more would be to meet up IRL. The dream comes true when Gram and Gramps invite Nicky, Winnie, and Nicky’s little brother, Ben, to visit them in the North Carolina mountains one summer.
The dream quickly turns into a nightmare, however, when they go hiking at a state park and stumble through a portal into a very strange world. This is no ordinary mountain. It is home to Boojums, Wampus Cats, and other creatures straight out of North Carolina myth and legend. It will take all of the kids’ teamwork and courage to find their way home—or they’ll be trapped on Monster Mountain forever!
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First published February 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 23, 2025
I really enjoyed the author’s debut novel and got to read her new book. I gave 4 stars. I like the story and how quick and fast pace it was. You can definitely see their personalities and their strategies to get back to their grandparents’ yard after being transported to unexpected and strange forest. While I enjoyed the story, there were things I wished to see more like what the characters looks like (especially the main character and her brother) and the cover did not strike me as a middle grade. The story is definitely fit perfectly for young readers, but the cover does not speak “middle grade” These are my opinions. I was requested to read a book for honest review. Thank you publisher for the arc copy.
March 16, 2025
The forest holds all sorts of creatures, and some should only exist in nightmares.
Nicky is a gamer through and through, and wishes that she could switch reality for the gaming world. Her best friend shares this opinion...not that Nicky's ever met her in real life. But that's about to change. When Nicky's grandparents agree to let Nicky, her younger brother, and her best friend finally come together at their place in the mountains, there's no doubt that it will be the best time ever. Thanks to the forest and mountains, there are more than a few things to explore. During one of their hikes, Nicky's brother disappears through a crack in a boulder, and the trio discovers an entirely new world. Here, the creatures are as monstrous as the ones in the video games...but here, they are real.
This book reminded me just a little bit of Journey to the Center of the Earth but with middle grade goodness and family wholesomeness woven in. Nicky is a gamer, and her desire to spend every waking moment in the virtual world is something readers will identify with. Her positive personality and interactions with her younger brother make her likeable, and especially her grandfather comes across as someone a reader would like to meet. All of this is built up nicely in the first half of the book, letting readers go on realistic adventures surrounding hikes, clog dancing, and more before the more fantastical side settles in. Once it does, the book shifts into high gear and lets fantasy fly.
Action propels every page forward after the trio (and their cute dog) fall into the other realm. Giant spiders, lava, saw-beak birds, and more give them little time to rest as they try to find their way back to the crack in the boulder. Dialogue drives the tale forward, allowing the personalities of the characters to shine and keeping longer scene descriptions at bay. Yet, the author builds exciting surroundings and horrible creatures vividly enough to easily picture each one. The trio learns not only to work together but has to improvise in ways, which grab back to their gaming knowledge and force them to innovate enough to meld it into real life.
It's an exciting story, especially when the other realm appears. There are messages surrounding teamwork, friendship, trust, loyalty, family and more. There's also some added information surrounding mushrooms, clogging, and such, which cleverly slide in some lesser known facts along the way. So, at only 120 pages, this book packs in quite a bit and will delight action, gamer, and monster fans.
Nicky is a gamer through and through, and wishes that she could switch reality for the gaming world. Her best friend shares this opinion...not that Nicky's ever met her in real life. But that's about to change. When Nicky's grandparents agree to let Nicky, her younger brother, and her best friend finally come together at their place in the mountains, there's no doubt that it will be the best time ever. Thanks to the forest and mountains, there are more than a few things to explore. During one of their hikes, Nicky's brother disappears through a crack in a boulder, and the trio discovers an entirely new world. Here, the creatures are as monstrous as the ones in the video games...but here, they are real.
This book reminded me just a little bit of Journey to the Center of the Earth but with middle grade goodness and family wholesomeness woven in. Nicky is a gamer, and her desire to spend every waking moment in the virtual world is something readers will identify with. Her positive personality and interactions with her younger brother make her likeable, and especially her grandfather comes across as someone a reader would like to meet. All of this is built up nicely in the first half of the book, letting readers go on realistic adventures surrounding hikes, clog dancing, and more before the more fantastical side settles in. Once it does, the book shifts into high gear and lets fantasy fly.
Action propels every page forward after the trio (and their cute dog) fall into the other realm. Giant spiders, lava, saw-beak birds, and more give them little time to rest as they try to find their way back to the crack in the boulder. Dialogue drives the tale forward, allowing the personalities of the characters to shine and keeping longer scene descriptions at bay. Yet, the author builds exciting surroundings and horrible creatures vividly enough to easily picture each one. The trio learns not only to work together but has to improvise in ways, which grab back to their gaming knowledge and force them to innovate enough to meld it into real life.
It's an exciting story, especially when the other realm appears. There are messages surrounding teamwork, friendship, trust, loyalty, family and more. There's also some added information surrounding mushrooms, clogging, and such, which cleverly slide in some lesser known facts along the way. So, at only 120 pages, this book packs in quite a bit and will delight action, gamer, and monster fans.
February 4, 2025
What if you, your younger brother, your BFF, and your dog are vacationing with your grandparents in the North Carolina mountains one summer. And what if they take you to a park so you can go for a hike. And what if your brother decides to go exploring and vanishes into a crack between two walls of solid rock? What do you do?
If your name is Nicky and you promised your grandparents that you would look out for your brother, you follow him–of course! But things start looking different. There are leaves from enormous trees that are twice the size of what they used to be, toadstools In every color imaginable, and mushrooms the size of palm trees. And when you meet a spider as big as a horse, rockgiants, trolls, and screaming monster birds with beaks like saws…you know you’ve entered a totally different world.
Fortunately, you are with two other gamers, and all of you are skilled at encountering and escaping danger. Ha! Ha! But the world of Minecraft isn’t nearly as real as the one you find yourself in.
****
Without giving away too much of this tale that intertwines North Carolina folklore with modern video gaming, here is one of my favorite lines:
Dread slithers its way into my mind and curls up there.
Isn’t that a delicious description?
The sweet climax is when the kids return and find the grandparents not in the least bit worried about them. Nicky asks if they’d had any extrordinatry adventures or ever seen any interesting creatures in the mountains. Her grandfather answers:
“Well now,” Gramps says, pulling off his cap and scratching the back of his head. “I reckon there are a lot of interesting creatures on this mountain, and me and your grandma have seen our fair share. As for the extraordinary, I’d say that just about describes every day we’ve spent together since the moment we got married.”
The next day Nicky thinks about their adventure and observes:
…maybe now that it’s almost over, we realize how extraordinary everything around us really is. Firefies dance in the twilight while sofft laughter drifts from the rocking chairs on the front porch. There’ so much magic right in front of our eyes, if we only take the time to notice it.
If your name is Nicky and you promised your grandparents that you would look out for your brother, you follow him–of course! But things start looking different. There are leaves from enormous trees that are twice the size of what they used to be, toadstools In every color imaginable, and mushrooms the size of palm trees. And when you meet a spider as big as a horse, rockgiants, trolls, and screaming monster birds with beaks like saws…you know you’ve entered a totally different world.
Fortunately, you are with two other gamers, and all of you are skilled at encountering and escaping danger. Ha! Ha! But the world of Minecraft isn’t nearly as real as the one you find yourself in.
****
Without giving away too much of this tale that intertwines North Carolina folklore with modern video gaming, here is one of my favorite lines:
Dread slithers its way into my mind and curls up there.
Isn’t that a delicious description?
The sweet climax is when the kids return and find the grandparents not in the least bit worried about them. Nicky asks if they’d had any extrordinatry adventures or ever seen any interesting creatures in the mountains. Her grandfather answers:
“Well now,” Gramps says, pulling off his cap and scratching the back of his head. “I reckon there are a lot of interesting creatures on this mountain, and me and your grandma have seen our fair share. As for the extraordinary, I’d say that just about describes every day we’ve spent together since the moment we got married.”
The next day Nicky thinks about their adventure and observes:
…maybe now that it’s almost over, we realize how extraordinary everything around us really is. Firefies dance in the twilight while sofft laughter drifts from the rocking chairs on the front porch. There’ so much magic right in front of our eyes, if we only take the time to notice it.
February 4, 2025
Monster Mountain invites readers on an exhilarating journey, reminiscent of the thrills found in Scooby-Doo and the engaging problem-solving spirit of The Magic School Bus. This charming story follows friends Winnie, siblings Nicky and Ben, along with their dog Starla, as they step through a portal and delve into the enigmatic and eerie Monster Mountain.
The adventure kicks off when the group catches wind of a peculiar creature sighted on the mountain. Filled with curiosity and excitement, they embark on their quest with a mix of courage and wonder. Throughout their trek, they encounter various challenges and spooky beings that put their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test. The journey is further enhanced by a delightful mix of spooky intrigue and light-hearted humor, echoing the signature style of Scooby-Doo.
Each character contributes a unique strength to the team: Nicky leads with fearless determination, Winnie showcases her cleverness, often referencing books to tackle problems, and Ben adds his gamer expertise. Together, they harness their abilities to navigate obstacles and unravel the mountain's mysteries.
The pacing of Monster Mountain is balanced, shifting between tense moments and lighter, comedic scenes that keep readers hooked. The action-filled adventure alongside quirky monsters is sure to enchant fans of both Scooby-Doo and The Magic School Bus, delivering a thrilling, heartwarming, and entertaining experience.
In summary, Monster Mountain is a delightful read for young audiences who enjoy mystery, adventure, and a hint of spookiness. It's an ideal choice for fans of Scooby-Doo, The Magic School Bus, or anyone in search of an exciting, interactive story brimming with teamwork and fun.
The adventure kicks off when the group catches wind of a peculiar creature sighted on the mountain. Filled with curiosity and excitement, they embark on their quest with a mix of courage and wonder. Throughout their trek, they encounter various challenges and spooky beings that put their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test. The journey is further enhanced by a delightful mix of spooky intrigue and light-hearted humor, echoing the signature style of Scooby-Doo.
Each character contributes a unique strength to the team: Nicky leads with fearless determination, Winnie showcases her cleverness, often referencing books to tackle problems, and Ben adds his gamer expertise. Together, they harness their abilities to navigate obstacles and unravel the mountain's mysteries.
The pacing of Monster Mountain is balanced, shifting between tense moments and lighter, comedic scenes that keep readers hooked. The action-filled adventure alongside quirky monsters is sure to enchant fans of both Scooby-Doo and The Magic School Bus, delivering a thrilling, heartwarming, and entertaining experience.
In summary, Monster Mountain is a delightful read for young audiences who enjoy mystery, adventure, and a hint of spookiness. It's an ideal choice for fans of Scooby-Doo, The Magic School Bus, or anyone in search of an exciting, interactive story brimming with teamwork and fun.
February 4, 2025
Monster Mountain is about Nick, her kid brother, and an online friend who use their Minecraft skills to battle real life monsters.
When I first heard about this new middle-grade book coming from author Stacey Bartlett around a year ago, I was eagerly anticipating it. For one, I read her women's fiction debut Free Sings the Sea and was impressed by her writing skills. Two: I love middle-grade books with action and adventure. This book delivers on so many different levels I read it twice in forty-eight hours. It is shorter than most books in the same age category, but just as sweet and meaningful. Nothing is lost in the length, which makes this a perfect read for reluctant readers. Once they read it, I am positive, they won't be so reluctant in reading, especially when it comes to Stacey Bartlett books.
Stacey Bartlett really captures the North Carolina scene and I am immediately taken to the nature-infused locations and peacefulness. Then, the kids take a turn into a portal to another world, the peacefulness is disrupted. The new world is just as alluring with tall standing mushrooms and colorful scenery, but it's very dangerous with various monsters and creatures at every corner.
I enjoyed the fast pace action of this story. Certain elements and scenes are reminiscent of a mashup between Lord of the Rings and King Kong. If you are a reader who loves these franchises, loves action/ adventure, loves kids working together to solve a solution, or someone who loves gaming, definitely, definitely pick up this book! I highly recommend it!
Excuse me now, while I go read it again. :)
When I first heard about this new middle-grade book coming from author Stacey Bartlett around a year ago, I was eagerly anticipating it. For one, I read her women's fiction debut Free Sings the Sea and was impressed by her writing skills. Two: I love middle-grade books with action and adventure. This book delivers on so many different levels I read it twice in forty-eight hours. It is shorter than most books in the same age category, but just as sweet and meaningful. Nothing is lost in the length, which makes this a perfect read for reluctant readers. Once they read it, I am positive, they won't be so reluctant in reading, especially when it comes to Stacey Bartlett books.
Stacey Bartlett really captures the North Carolina scene and I am immediately taken to the nature-infused locations and peacefulness. Then, the kids take a turn into a portal to another world, the peacefulness is disrupted. The new world is just as alluring with tall standing mushrooms and colorful scenery, but it's very dangerous with various monsters and creatures at every corner.
I enjoyed the fast pace action of this story. Certain elements and scenes are reminiscent of a mashup between Lord of the Rings and King Kong. If you are a reader who loves these franchises, loves action/ adventure, loves kids working together to solve a solution, or someone who loves gaming, definitely, definitely pick up this book! I highly recommend it!
Excuse me now, while I go read it again. :)
February 20, 2025
When Nicky and her brother, Ben, visit their grandparents in the North Carolina mountains, Nicky’s best friend, Winnie, joins them and a wild adventure begins. While hiking, Ben discovers a portal to another world between two stones. The three end up in a place that is different from anything they’ve ever seen. It’s a world of boojums, wampum cats, rock giants, trolls and moon-eyed people. I loved the moon eyed people who were healers. This story has fun, suspense and heart! The children work together with their different abilities and gifts to overcome monsters and make their way back home. That is, they make their way home with the help of a lovable boojum. Living in western North Carolina, I especially enjoy hearing about the folklore of this area. Monster Mountain combines traditional stories of old with present day gaming and virtual reality. It’s a well written book that children can relate to and enjoy!
February 5, 2025
Monster Mountain is a thrilling, fast-paced portal fantasy that transports readers into an exciting adventure enriched with North Carolina folklore. Nicky, her younger brother Ben, and her best friend Winnie, are seasoned gamers who have navigated countless online adventures. But what happens when they venture into the North Carolina mountains and stumble upon a magical realm where their survival skills and teamwork are truly tested?
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. The characters are delightfully relatable, and their gamer lingo had me laughing out loud. We're all gamers in my household, so I could easily see my kids immersing themselves in this story. Monster Mountain is perfect for fans of portal adventures, middle-grade reads with plucky characters, friendship, survival challenges, folklore creatures, and witty banter.
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. The characters are delightfully relatable, and their gamer lingo had me laughing out loud. We're all gamers in my household, so I could easily see my kids immersing themselves in this story. Monster Mountain is perfect for fans of portal adventures, middle-grade reads with plucky characters, friendship, survival challenges, folklore creatures, and witty banter.
March 16, 2025
Ready for a fun and whimsical adventure packed with cool monsters? This portal fantasy explores friendship, teamwork, resilience, and North Carolinian folklore. It’s beautiful, immersive description brings you right into the mountains. I loved how these kids were gamers but had a strong appreciation for nature and applied what they knew from their digital world to help solve problems. I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my little gamer girl!
February 21, 2026
A thrilling MG adventure that weaves North Carolina folklore, friendship, and courage. Nicky, Winnie, and Ben learn to believe in themselves and trust one another -- and a not-so-scary monster -- in the adventure of their lives. A fun read that invites discussion about the power found in the qualities that make everyone unique.
May 11, 2025
Kids will love this! Well written fantasy with wonderful friend and family dynamics and even a dog. This will be especially appealing to gamers and readers who like a little scariness with their adventures.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews