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The Monsters Next Door
It's hard to fight the supernatural when you're naturally "un-super."
Charlie Greer is nothing special—at least not compared to her adopted siblings. Her younger sister is a ghost. Her brother Mateo is a werewolf. Gideon is the product of seriously sketchy experiments that gave him telekinetic powers. Even her parents work for the Division of Extranormal Investigations tracking down all things supernatural, alien, and otherwise unusual.
Charlie's mom says her superpower is maturity—which doesn't really count. But what Charlie lacks in powers she makes up for by keeping the household running. Now, with her parents off on their first vacation in years, it’s up to her to take care of her siblings and make sure nothing disrupts the trip.
But then the new neighbors arrive. The Weavers are a nice, normal couple. Too nice and too normal. And for some reason, they don't seem to want Charlie to see inside their house. She’s certain they’re hiding something. Charlie has to uncover what's going on with the Weavers and stop their plans—without letting Mom and Dad find out anything is wrong.
Charlie Greer is nothing special—at least not compared to her adopted siblings. Her younger sister is a ghost. Her brother Mateo is a werewolf. Gideon is the product of seriously sketchy experiments that gave him telekinetic powers. Even her parents work for the Division of Extranormal Investigations tracking down all things supernatural, alien, and otherwise unusual.
Charlie's mom says her superpower is maturity—which doesn't really count. But what Charlie lacks in powers she makes up for by keeping the household running. Now, with her parents off on their first vacation in years, it’s up to her to take care of her siblings and make sure nothing disrupts the trip.
But then the new neighbors arrive. The Weavers are a nice, normal couple. Too nice and too normal. And for some reason, they don't seem to want Charlie to see inside their house. She’s certain they’re hiding something. Charlie has to uncover what's going on with the Weavers and stop their plans—without letting Mom and Dad find out anything is wrong.
Paperback
First published August 29, 2023
About the author
Kate Alice Marshall
21 books6,751 followersKate Alice Marshall is the author of thrillers and horror for all ages. Her YA and Middle grade books include I AM STILL ALIVE, RULES FOR VANISHING, and THIRTEENS. Her adult thrillers include WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS and NO ONE CAN KNOW.
She lives outside of Seattle with her husband, two dogs named Vonnegut and Octavia, and two kids. They all conspire to keep her on her toes.
She lives outside of Seattle with her husband, two dogs named Vonnegut and Octavia, and two kids. They all conspire to keep her on her toes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
August 25, 2024
short and consumable; finished this in 3 hours. creepy but not full-on horror. nice themes about family and trust, and i love that for once the mc doesn't have some ground-breaking superpowers to beat the enemy. ending could've been more airtight.
battle of the books 2024 #2
battle of the books 2024 #2
January 6, 2024
5☆
Kate Alice Marshall doesn’t know how to write a bad book, and this is a hill I'm willing to die on!
Once again, this was absolutely perfect and such a fun middle grade horror. I love love loved the characters and their relationships with each other. The writing was phenomenal, and I was constantly surprised and on edge with the horror elements used.
Such a good book that I couldn't recommend more!!
Kate Alice Marshall doesn’t know how to write a bad book, and this is a hill I'm willing to die on!
Once again, this was absolutely perfect and such a fun middle grade horror. I love love loved the characters and their relationships with each other. The writing was phenomenal, and I was constantly surprised and on edge with the horror elements used.
Such a good book that I couldn't recommend more!!
July 22, 2026
This was adorable and super fun. I can’t wait to re-read it with my niece.
August 29, 2023
My first read by Marshall was Rules for Vanishing, and even though it was technically YA and I don't scare easily, even by adult horror standards, it was genuinely terrifying. This book is a lot sweeter and aimed at much younger children, maybe ages 8 - 10.
Charlie is the ultimate "Child who is an additional parent". She's insecure about her lack of superpowers (even though I'm not entirely sure becoming a werewolf pup is all that useful) so she's going to make herself into the perfect nanny for her siblings in order to allow their secret paranormal agent parents to go on vacation. As you can imagine, it doesn't turn out the way she'd liked. I'm not a fan of the "just because you're not special doesn't mean being not-special isn't its own kind of specialness" trope, but it was tolerable. The tone reminded me of the Small Spaces series by Katherine Arden, if a touch less scary.
Charlie is the ultimate "Child who is an additional parent". She's insecure about her lack of superpowers (even though I'm not entirely sure becoming a werewolf pup is all that useful) so she's going to make herself into the perfect nanny for her siblings in order to allow their secret paranormal agent parents to go on vacation. As you can imagine, it doesn't turn out the way she'd liked. I'm not a fan of the "just because you're not special doesn't mean being not-special isn't its own kind of specialness" trope, but it was tolerable. The tone reminded me of the Small Spaces series by Katherine Arden, if a touch less scary.
October 10, 2023
4.5 stars
Cover 5; Characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 5; Engagement 5; Worldbuilding 4; Readability 4; Theme 5; Enjoyment 4
Another solid mid-grade from KAM! I was honestly a bit worried about this one most of all as this is the third book she's released this year, but I was genuinely happy with this story. This is a family of adopted children who are all a bit paranormal, except for our main character Charlie who is so normal, she's Extra Normal.
This was a creepy yet feel good story about how families operate and how sometimes when young kids feel like they have the whole world on their shoulders, they need to reach out to their elders for help. -I know this isn't an option for all children-
I liked how it was handled at the end when people started questioning Charlie why she never went to the adults for help. Lack of parental involvement in YA and MG books makes me so angry I can't see straight sometimes, so I was happy with how it was dealt with in a different and realistic way.
This definitely wasn't as creepy as Thirteens, but it had some spoopy feels throughout. I did really enjoy this one overall!
Cover 5; Characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 5; Engagement 5; Worldbuilding 4; Readability 4; Theme 5; Enjoyment 4
Another solid mid-grade from KAM! I was honestly a bit worried about this one most of all as this is the third book she's released this year, but I was genuinely happy with this story. This is a family of adopted children who are all a bit paranormal, except for our main character Charlie who is so normal, she's Extra Normal.
This was a creepy yet feel good story about how families operate and how sometimes when young kids feel like they have the whole world on their shoulders, they need to reach out to their elders for help. -I know this isn't an option for all children-
I liked how it was handled at the end when people started questioning Charlie why she never went to the adults for help. Lack of parental involvement in YA and MG books makes me so angry I can't see straight sometimes, so I was happy with how it was dealt with in a different and realistic way.
This definitely wasn't as creepy as Thirteens, but it had some spoopy feels throughout. I did really enjoy this one overall!
August 31, 2023
I must just now read a Kate Alice Marshall’s adult book (her second one comes out next year I think?), which I will probably also love. Once I do that it’ll probably make KAM one of the best writers if she can write excellent Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult books.
When I started this book I was thinking “hmm how scary can a middle grade book get?” And then I remembered like Coraline and Monster House. I loved that just because it’s middle grade didn’t mean the scariness would be watered down. It’s scary enough for kids and any adults (me) reading this. KAM just does it effortlessly.
As always with every KAM I’ve read the characters were well-written. I loved getting to know the family. I liked how even though the parents weren’t present for basically all of the book, they were still part of the story (as opposed to being absent parents – although that’s more YA).
I liked the agents that came and stayed with them – Agent Baxter and his husband, Agent Pendleton. They were funny and I could tell they were friends with the family (and not just coworkers) and I liked that.
My heart felt for Charlie as she always felt like she had to be on top for everything. She helped to make her siblings feel like they could act like children without realising that she’s also a child. I also liked that her parents made sure she knew they appreciated and loved her, their relationship with her was very sweet.
Charlie’s relationships with her siblings were so sweet to see as well. I’ve mentioned multiple times in various posts that I really adore good sibling relationships. This is definitely a case for the good ones. They cared for each other and wanted to keep each other safe. And still bantered as siblings do!
The plot and the mystery was done so well (as always with her books). She makes the mystery so intriguing you certainly don’t want to put the book down! I did predict most of the plot twists but I didn’t mind it in the slightest because of how well it was done. I grew up with Enid Blyton so I’m always down for kid detectives and Charlie and her siblings were joys to follow.
When I started this book I was thinking “hmm how scary can a middle grade book get?” And then I remembered like Coraline and Monster House. I loved that just because it’s middle grade didn’t mean the scariness would be watered down. It’s scary enough for kids and any adults (me) reading this. KAM just does it effortlessly.
As always with every KAM I’ve read the characters were well-written. I loved getting to know the family. I liked how even though the parents weren’t present for basically all of the book, they were still part of the story (as opposed to being absent parents – although that’s more YA).
I liked the agents that came and stayed with them – Agent Baxter and his husband, Agent Pendleton. They were funny and I could tell they were friends with the family (and not just coworkers) and I liked that.
My heart felt for Charlie as she always felt like she had to be on top for everything. She helped to make her siblings feel like they could act like children without realising that she’s also a child. I also liked that her parents made sure she knew they appreciated and loved her, their relationship with her was very sweet.
Charlie’s relationships with her siblings were so sweet to see as well. I’ve mentioned multiple times in various posts that I really adore good sibling relationships. This is definitely a case for the good ones. They cared for each other and wanted to keep each other safe. And still bantered as siblings do!
The plot and the mystery was done so well (as always with her books). She makes the mystery so intriguing you certainly don’t want to put the book down! I did predict most of the plot twists but I didn’t mind it in the slightest because of how well it was done. I grew up with Enid Blyton so I’m always down for kid detectives and Charlie and her siblings were joys to follow.
July 29, 2026
3.5 stars. Not fully 4 stars so 3 stars.
I largely enjoyed this. I took a break when I initially started the book but Chapter 9 to 10 were clincher moments in the story that made me continue on.
The whole time I was reading this, this gif was playing in my head:
It was on a loop for most of the story that I had to look for and include it. "Goddamn where her mama at...where's the adults." Find the clip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDTZ0...
I know, when you dig deeper, even if just for a few seconds, that the story is about being fulfilled in being your ordinary self. It touches on aspects of adoption (all the differences we may have but also what makes us family), found family, what I call first born syndrome (the first born who always takes on the role of pseudo parent), growing up, making friends (or enemies) and also if you come from a family where perhaps you are the normal kid and the others perhaps have extra needs, when you get lost in the mix because for all intents and purposes you are okay.
Charlie being big sister parent irritated my soul. The fact that it is semi-resolved as
The ending was also my other issue as I understand it was written that way so as to facilitate perhaps a sequel but I didn't like it.
My favourite side character was Miss Sinister. Loved her. She brought me so much joy.
I loved how the kids individual neuroses related to what happened to them/how they came to be with the Greers were shown, in their kid like state and even though I liked how Charlie was able to help each one of them and how they all helped each other, I still hated this for Charlie.
I loved how Leigh Greer's mum character was written. It made miss getting hugs from my mum.
I am not the target age group for the story so maybe that's why I didn't really find it scary enough for it to be tagged under specifically horror. This to me was more a mystery/thriller-ish story with paranormal aspects.
I'll probably be reading more from K.A.M. When I picked this story I was looking for a book that had the Famous Five vibe but make it modern day and paranormal. So, enjoyed this.
Not having powers doesn’t mean you can’t do amazing things.
I largely enjoyed this. I took a break when I initially started the book but Chapter 9 to 10 were clincher moments in the story that made me continue on.
The whole time I was reading this, this gif was playing in my head:
It was on a loop for most of the story that I had to look for and include it. "Goddamn where her mama at...where's the adults." Find the clip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDTZ0...
I know, when you dig deeper, even if just for a few seconds, that the story is about being fulfilled in being your ordinary self. It touches on aspects of adoption (all the differences we may have but also what makes us family), found family, what I call first born syndrome (the first born who always takes on the role of pseudo parent), growing up, making friends (or enemies) and also if you come from a family where perhaps you are the normal kid and the others perhaps have extra needs, when you get lost in the mix because for all intents and purposes you are okay.
Sometimes it seemed like worrying was her only special ability, she did it so much.
Besides, she didn’t have time for hanging out and going to movies, or whatever kids her age were supposed to do. She had to be home to take care of her siblings.
Charlie being big sister parent irritated my soul. The fact that it is semi-resolved as
The ending was also my other issue as I understand it was written that way so as to facilitate perhaps a sequel but I didn't like it.
Hunting crickets was one of the activities that brought her tiny cursed heart true joy.
My favourite side character was Miss Sinister. Loved her. She brought me so much joy.
I loved how the kids individual neuroses related to what happened to them/how they came to be with the Greers were shown, in their kid like state and even though I liked how Charlie was able to help each one of them and how they all helped each other, I still hated this for Charlie.
When she was around, curses got quieter, spells sang in harmony, and wicked spirits grew slow and sleepy.
I loved how Leigh Greer's mum character was written. It made miss getting hugs from my mum.
I am not the target age group for the story so maybe that's why I didn't really find it scary enough for it to be tagged under specifically horror. This to me was more a mystery/thriller-ish story with paranormal aspects.
I'll probably be reading more from K.A.M. When I picked this story I was looking for a book that had the Famous Five vibe but make it modern day and paranormal. So, enjoyed this.
October 26, 2025
This is a Creepy Next-Door Neighbor trope that is actually creepy.
I liked the plot. Having parents who work for the Division of Extranormal Research and Investigation (DERI) sounds interesting. I wouldn't be surprised if a sequel is released.
I enjoyed the uncanny new neighbors and the mystery surrounding them.
The story focuses on the Greer siblings, who all—except for Charlie—are adopted. The siblings are already a family, but it is still kind of a Found Family trope. Their different backstories are revealed throughout the story. How they used to live before being adopted still affects them in some ways. They all have their own struggles because of their "Extra Normal" abilities.
I liked Charlie as the main character. She took on a mature role as the older sibling. Even before the parents were gone, she felt the need to look after them to make up for her lack of supernatural ability.
Normally, there's a sibling that's annoying when it comes to stories with siblings, but none of the others annoyed me. I liked them all.
The siblings will have to solve the problem in a short span of time, instead of calling their parents, who are on a much-needed vacation.
This was a fun, quick read that I surely recommend to others.
Note: Using new rating system starting 2025.
June 9, 2024
This was a very cute middle-grade that felt very age appropriate but still had a good amount of horror.
I appreciate that the author trusts the reader, as this wasn't repetitious at all (unlike several Adult and YA titles I've read recently). It was sweet and inspiring and the only time in my life that I've liked a creepy doll.
It's a little reminiscent of Soulless in the magic system, of Another Kind in the child monsters and their found family, with a Stepford-feeling family that moves in across the street and is so normal that it's strange.
The story is sweet and teaches good lessons, especially about independence and when it's right to break rules vs when it's right to get help from a higher authority, and the unique skills and talents in everyone. I'd easily recommend to any middle-grade enjoyers.
I appreciate that the author trusts the reader, as this wasn't repetitious at all (unlike several Adult and YA titles I've read recently). It was sweet and inspiring and the only time in my life that I've liked a creepy doll.
It's a little reminiscent of Soulless in the magic system, of Another Kind in the child monsters and their found family, with a Stepford-feeling family that moves in across the street and is so normal that it's strange.
The story is sweet and teaches good lessons, especially about independence and when it's right to break rules vs when it's right to get help from a higher authority, and the unique skills and talents in everyone. I'd easily recommend to any middle-grade enjoyers.
October 24, 2024
Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m in the Halloween mood. Candles are burning, vintage spooky music is playing, Tim Burton’s films are dusting themselves off and I am reading all the creepy autumnal books.
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Creepy middle-grade books are always a great option if you want a bite size story that will give you all the Halloween feels in one sitting.
Extra Normal was simultaneously cute and creepy. It had similarities to Strangers Things combined with Men In Black. I liked the main family and it had the classic “something is really wrong and adults can’t help us”.
Not an all time favourite but a good option if you want something to curl up in bed with and read in one evening.
Creepy middle-grade books are always a great option if you want a bite size story that will give you all the Halloween feels in one sitting.
Extra Normal was simultaneously cute and creepy. It had similarities to Strangers Things combined with Men In Black. I liked the main family and it had the classic “something is really wrong and adults can’t help us”.
Not an all time favourite but a good option if you want something to curl up in bed with and read in one evening.
April 3, 2026
This was so good!!! It's a little bit scary for younger middle grade readers but it's got an excellent premise, great writing, interesting characters, and a tightly woven paranormal thriller plot. Lots of fun for kids but lots to think about too! It would make a great family read aloud book for all the discussions it could start. I'm keeping this on my favorites and I'm really hoping there'll be more.
December 13, 2025
Very rarely does my 4th grade son get excited about a book. Last week he came home from school raving about a book his teacher read to class. "Mom! You have to read that book!" So I did. It is meant for 8-12 yr olds, but a great story. The children in the family need to overcome fears, be brave and courageous, and work together to fight the aliens next door, all while Mom and Dad are on vacation! Fun read for me and the whole family.
September 25, 2023
What a delightful little book! A little creepy, a lot of heart, and very un-put-downable. The diversity in this book was also incredible. If I knew any 10-13 year olds, I would buy it for them immediately!
June 27, 2024
I saw on Instagram that this was the author’s love letter to the X-Files and that fits so well.
What this book did for me was transport me back to my goosebumps/Fear Street time when I gobbled up the Middle Grade and Young Adult Campy Horror. This was like an episode of a ‘90s Monster of the Week show with the loveliest of family dynamics.
I was invested in this world and there were plenty of almost creepy moments.
Kate Alice Marshall continues to cement herself as a favorite author of mine, no matter what age range group she writes for.
What this book did for me was transport me back to my goosebumps/Fear Street time when I gobbled up the Middle Grade and Young Adult Campy Horror. This was like an episode of a ‘90s Monster of the Week show with the loveliest of family dynamics.
I was invested in this world and there were plenty of almost creepy moments.
Kate Alice Marshall continues to cement herself as a favorite author of mine, no matter what age range group she writes for.
August 14, 2024
I really enjoyed these characters and the storyline!
Going into this book I knew nothing, except that I kept getting the title wrong in my head, but that didn't stop me from taking it everywhere with me. I would drive somewhere earlier than I needed to be there and then sit in my car and read the book. Absolutely a vibe, especially waiting to open the store at 4am and reading about paranormal aspects.
This didn't get me out of the reading slump I'm stuck in, but it was such a fun time that I didn't have to force myself to read it.
Going into this book I knew nothing, except that I kept getting the title wrong in my head, but that didn't stop me from taking it everywhere with me. I would drive somewhere earlier than I needed to be there and then sit in my car and read the book. Absolutely a vibe, especially waiting to open the store at 4am and reading about paranormal aspects.
This didn't get me out of the reading slump I'm stuck in, but it was such a fun time that I didn't have to force myself to read it.
October 10, 2024
Throughout most of the book I kept saying, “call your parents”. Great from start to finish.
January 11, 2025
Perfect preteen fantasy
August 11, 2025
short, creepy and exactly what i needed for a quick read and to finish it in one day!!!
December 5, 2023
Like Coraline, but creepier :)
September 18, 2023
Creepy! But also strong family teamwork.
There are spiders - and spider-like creatures so if you fear the spider, you have been forewarned.
The thought provoking bit comes near the end and deals with how humans view good and evil. Also what each individual holds inside that makes them special.
There are spiders - and spider-like creatures so if you fear the spider, you have been forewarned.
The thought provoking bit comes near the end and deals with how humans view good and evil. Also what each individual holds inside that makes them special.
September 17, 2023
Who do I need to bribe in order for Kate Alice Marshall to turn this into a series?
This book has everything.
Found family? Check!
Kids basically in charge? Check!
Amazing characters? Check!
Fun, twisty-turny plot? Check!
Scary spooks and fun spooks mixed into one glorious feast? Check and check!
This is one of those books you sigh happily while hugging it when you’re done reading it.
Middle grade readers of any age, young or old, will love this book with their entire hearts. This book has everything you could ever want in a paranormal mystery, especially if you love unique characters who are all special in their own way. (Miss Sinister is my personal favourite.)
This book has everything.
Found family? Check!
Kids basically in charge? Check!
Amazing characters? Check!
Fun, twisty-turny plot? Check!
Scary spooks and fun spooks mixed into one glorious feast? Check and check!
This is one of those books you sigh happily while hugging it when you’re done reading it.
Middle grade readers of any age, young or old, will love this book with their entire hearts. This book has everything you could ever want in a paranormal mystery, especially if you love unique characters who are all special in their own way. (Miss Sinister is my personal favourite.)
May 10, 2025
family, adoption, trust, what makes you special, super powers, siblings, mystery
October 12, 2025
Spookier than I thought it would be! But also very cute. I adored the Greer siblings.
April 12, 2025
Enjoyable middle grade read. Had a bit of Men in Black meets Spy Kids vibe going on to me. Just enough scary/ghostly content to satisfy many in this age group. Felt it lost a bit of momentum toward the end. 3.5
November 3, 2023
This was cute and heartwarming but also creepy and gave me the ick countless times. I loved reading about this weird little family and their extra normal daughter and how they came together to save their neighbors. I think Kate Alice Marshall did a great job making this paranormal/supernatural story seem unique and captivating. The Almost People were absolutely horrifying like no thank you. Miss Sinister was iconic.
August 29, 2025
I did NOT like this book at all! I read it so I could introduce it to my 4th and 5th grade students, as it is a Mark Twain nominee. It is not appropriate for this age level, in my opinion. It's dark and demonic.
January 21, 2026
Funny, sweet, and creepy!
June 2, 2024
“You and me, we don’t have any special powers,” her dad told her, sitting under the shade of the old oak tree in the backyard. “Heck, when I got assigned to the Division, I didn’t even believe in all this stuff. But in all the cases your mom and I have worked, we did it together. As partners. Not having powers doesn’t mean you can’t do amazing things.”
“I guess,” she’d said, digging a toe into the dirt. He put a hand on her knee.
“Listen. People like your mom and your brothers and your sister, they can do amazing things, but the world is a very dangerous place for them. It’s the job of people like you and me to look after them. And that’s pretty special, too.”
So Charlie worked hard to keep her family safe. She checked the fire extinguishers to make sure they were always full, in case Opal had a panic attack. She sat outside the basement door and read stories to Matty during the full moon while he barked and scratched at the walls. When all the spoons in the drawer were bent into pretzels, she sighed and got the plastic ones from the cupboard and didn’t give Gideon a hard time. And she told herself over and over again that she didn’t mind being normal.
Sometimes she almost believed it.
(Kate Alice Marshall, Extra Normal, p.2-3)
Charlie Greer is nothing special, but the rest of her family is. Her parents work for the Division of Extranormal Investigations and spend their time tracking down all things strange and unusual, and her adopted siblings are all supernatural creatures/experiments. Being the oldest and the odd one out, it’s Charlie’s job to keep things running smoothly while their parents are away. But when things start stirring in their own neighborhood while their parents are on a much needed vacation, she might have to learn a hard lesson in knowing when to ask for help.
Not only is the story creepy and fun, but it’s almost used mainly to highlight the real story of Charlie. She isn’t a kid who’s been given a responsibility, she’s a kid feeling like she has no place in her family so she takes on responsibility. That can be really dangerous, and it is in this case. A responsibility given is a single thing and can bring a feeling of fulfillment, but taking responsibility can easily become a slope of not knowing how much is too much. All such a person would see is people being grateful of the help, and not only doing more and more but also be left feeling like they’d be letting people down if they ask for help or cut back on what they’re doing. Charlie gets properly chewed out for it in the end as the book could have gone very, very badly, and she had her parents’ entire work department on her contact list, ready and willing to jump in the whole time. Moral of the story: It’s okay to ask for help. Also, talk to your kids!
CHARACTERS:
Loved these characters, they’re all so fantastic!
SETTING/WORLD BUILDING:
Kate Alice Marshall brought her A-Game for this worldbuilding. There’s so much going on that the book reads like a stand-alone story in a larger series universe. I’m going to check out more from this author, for sure.
PLOT/SOLUTION:
The plot did a fantastic job at showing what happens when a child is struggling under too much responsibility, and the supernatural plotline is just the right amount of clever and spooky.
OTHER ASPECTS
+
It’s not going to affect the score at all, but the cover art is beautifully creepy. Props to Matt Rockfeller!
THE VERDICT?
I’ve been building a small collection of middle grade horror novels and I think this is going to be one of my favorite additions.
“I guess,” she’d said, digging a toe into the dirt. He put a hand on her knee.
“Listen. People like your mom and your brothers and your sister, they can do amazing things, but the world is a very dangerous place for them. It’s the job of people like you and me to look after them. And that’s pretty special, too.”
So Charlie worked hard to keep her family safe. She checked the fire extinguishers to make sure they were always full, in case Opal had a panic attack. She sat outside the basement door and read stories to Matty during the full moon while he barked and scratched at the walls. When all the spoons in the drawer were bent into pretzels, she sighed and got the plastic ones from the cupboard and didn’t give Gideon a hard time. And she told herself over and over again that she didn’t mind being normal.
Sometimes she almost believed it.
(Kate Alice Marshall, Extra Normal, p.2-3)
Charlie Greer is nothing special, but the rest of her family is. Her parents work for the Division of Extranormal Investigations and spend their time tracking down all things strange and unusual, and her adopted siblings are all supernatural creatures/experiments. Being the oldest and the odd one out, it’s Charlie’s job to keep things running smoothly while their parents are away. But when things start stirring in their own neighborhood while their parents are on a much needed vacation, she might have to learn a hard lesson in knowing when to ask for help.
Not only is the story creepy and fun, but it’s almost used mainly to highlight the real story of Charlie. She isn’t a kid who’s been given a responsibility, she’s a kid feeling like she has no place in her family so she takes on responsibility. That can be really dangerous, and it is in this case. A responsibility given is a single thing and can bring a feeling of fulfillment, but taking responsibility can easily become a slope of not knowing how much is too much. All such a person would see is people being grateful of the help, and not only doing more and more but also be left feeling like they’d be letting people down if they ask for help or cut back on what they’re doing. Charlie gets properly chewed out for it in the end as the book could have gone very, very badly, and she had her parents’ entire work department on her contact list, ready and willing to jump in the whole time. Moral of the story: It’s okay to ask for help. Also, talk to your kids!
CHARACTERS:
Loved these characters, they’re all so fantastic!
SETTING/WORLD BUILDING:
Kate Alice Marshall brought her A-Game for this worldbuilding. There’s so much going on that the book reads like a stand-alone story in a larger series universe. I’m going to check out more from this author, for sure.
PLOT/SOLUTION:
The plot did a fantastic job at showing what happens when a child is struggling under too much responsibility, and the supernatural plotline is just the right amount of clever and spooky.
OTHER ASPECTS
+
It’s not going to affect the score at all, but the cover art is beautifully creepy. Props to Matt Rockfeller!
THE VERDICT?
I’ve been building a small collection of middle grade horror novels and I think this is going to be one of my favorite additions.
September 4, 2023
What worked:
The author effectively creates a hook through an air of mystique surrounding Charlie’s new neighbors across the street. The rundown house with crumbling brick has been empty for over a year and her father says it’s unsellable. The neighbors coincidentally move in on the same day Charlie’s parents leave for vacation. That evening, she notices a man, woman, and young boy standing in their front yard with stiff smiles, staring at her house as though they’re posing for a picture. She ventures over the next morning with her siblings and an adult babysitter to meet the neighbors and finds the Weavers wearing name tags. The babysitter offers to help move boxes and Charlie’s siblings are uncharacteristically cooperative. The boxes feel empty to her but the others seem to be carrying heavy loads. Most surprisingly, Charlie is the only one not allowed in the house and she must return home when the neighbor suddenly states her brother isn’t feeling well.
Opal is the most interesting character as she’s a six-year-old ghost. She’s the most timid character and is still learning to transition back and forth between invisible and solid forms. It takes great concentration to pass through walls and then unlock doors which can come in handy while secretly exploring off-limit places. Opal is very sensitive about doing the right thing and not upsetting others so she becomes distressed when sneaking around. This adds another layer of suspense since Opal has a history of burning things up when she gets emotionally overwhelmed. She frequently smolders during the plot so it seems inevitable that she’ll eventually cause something to catch fire.
The mystery of the Weavers is the focus of the plot with other supernatural features included. Charlie doesn’t have any special abilities, she’s extra normal, and the book reveals later on why she doesn’t call her parents when the situation becomes more serious. The Weavers have an unexplainable influence on others, especially Charlie’s babysitters, which makes her investigation more challenging. Tiny, green spiders pop up around her house and in the trees which Miss Sinister, the animated doll in her attic, loves to crunch in her mouth. Charlie’s brother Matty is a young werewolf and he’s pretty good at changing his form. However, a full moon will occur in a few days and he’s unable to control his transformation when this happens. Then, Charlie’s parents have a heavily secured Malice Vault upstairs that holds dangerous artifacts from their past cases. Charlie had a frightening experience with the vault when she was six years old but she’s still curious about the things it contains. The book has plenty of supernatural curiosities to keep readers engaged and the climax presents one more surprising one.
What didn’t work as well:
Charlie’s parents research and resolve supernatural events and there are references to previous cases and a character called the Operative. It feels like this book is the second or third in a series so readers may wonder what they’ve missed. In the end, there is a connection between the current story and some of these past events.
The final verdict:
The book starts as an interesting story about an unusual cast of paranormal characters and grows into an imaginative mystery with unexpected twists. It’s an absorbing adventure that I hope will have a sequel in the near future. I strongly recommend you give this book a shot!
The author effectively creates a hook through an air of mystique surrounding Charlie’s new neighbors across the street. The rundown house with crumbling brick has been empty for over a year and her father says it’s unsellable. The neighbors coincidentally move in on the same day Charlie’s parents leave for vacation. That evening, she notices a man, woman, and young boy standing in their front yard with stiff smiles, staring at her house as though they’re posing for a picture. She ventures over the next morning with her siblings and an adult babysitter to meet the neighbors and finds the Weavers wearing name tags. The babysitter offers to help move boxes and Charlie’s siblings are uncharacteristically cooperative. The boxes feel empty to her but the others seem to be carrying heavy loads. Most surprisingly, Charlie is the only one not allowed in the house and she must return home when the neighbor suddenly states her brother isn’t feeling well.
Opal is the most interesting character as she’s a six-year-old ghost. She’s the most timid character and is still learning to transition back and forth between invisible and solid forms. It takes great concentration to pass through walls and then unlock doors which can come in handy while secretly exploring off-limit places. Opal is very sensitive about doing the right thing and not upsetting others so she becomes distressed when sneaking around. This adds another layer of suspense since Opal has a history of burning things up when she gets emotionally overwhelmed. She frequently smolders during the plot so it seems inevitable that she’ll eventually cause something to catch fire.
The mystery of the Weavers is the focus of the plot with other supernatural features included. Charlie doesn’t have any special abilities, she’s extra normal, and the book reveals later on why she doesn’t call her parents when the situation becomes more serious. The Weavers have an unexplainable influence on others, especially Charlie’s babysitters, which makes her investigation more challenging. Tiny, green spiders pop up around her house and in the trees which Miss Sinister, the animated doll in her attic, loves to crunch in her mouth. Charlie’s brother Matty is a young werewolf and he’s pretty good at changing his form. However, a full moon will occur in a few days and he’s unable to control his transformation when this happens. Then, Charlie’s parents have a heavily secured Malice Vault upstairs that holds dangerous artifacts from their past cases. Charlie had a frightening experience with the vault when she was six years old but she’s still curious about the things it contains. The book has plenty of supernatural curiosities to keep readers engaged and the climax presents one more surprising one.
What didn’t work as well:
Charlie’s parents research and resolve supernatural events and there are references to previous cases and a character called the Operative. It feels like this book is the second or third in a series so readers may wonder what they’ve missed. In the end, there is a connection between the current story and some of these past events.
The final verdict:
The book starts as an interesting story about an unusual cast of paranormal characters and grows into an imaginative mystery with unexpected twists. It’s an absorbing adventure that I hope will have a sequel in the near future. I strongly recommend you give this book a shot!
August 6, 2024
Extra Normal by Kate Alice Marshall.
Quick synopsis : Set in a world where supernatural stuff is real and commonplace, a girl who is nothing special at all needs to defeat something bad and save her family.
Brief opinion : The writing, characters, nearly everything was excellent. Unfortunately the book is meant for young readers (8-12) and there were no surprises at all in the plot for me, which robbed the story of nearly all of the fun.
Plot : In a world where even the most average person has at least a spark of magic, Charlie has nothing. She's completely normal. She does however have a psychic brother, a werewolf brother, and a ghost sister. Plus her parents both work for a government agency that deals with supernatural problems (or "extranormal" problems, as the book calls them).
One day a new family moves into the neighborhood. The Weavers. And weird spiders start appearing everywhere. And when anyone goes into the Weavers' house, they come out drained and sick. And what's with all these spiderwebs?!
Charlie, who is basically a third parent to her siblings but is too young for so much responsibility, figures out the truth of the Weavers and so she has to help her siblings get over their insecurities and other issues to defeat the Weavers and save their parents, town, and everything else.
Writing/editing : On a technical level, both were outstanding. The writing was really good, the editing was perfect. On a story-level, I had a few issues, but all of them come down to this book wasn't written for adult readers.
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : I don't know how many times I've said that a good MG/YA can be enjoyed by any age, but you can't fault one of them for not being enjoyable to an adult reader -- that very much applies here as well. I never want to guess where the plot is going, I'd rather the story just pulled me along, but at the 10% point of this book I knew every twist and turn that would happen. It's just no fun if you know ahead of time how a book will turn out.
There was a lot of phone texting in the book, and even though the characters were aged 8-12, their grammar was perfect in it. Capitalization, punctuation. When one character was in a really bad situation she dropped the punctuation off the end of her sentences, but otherwise perfect spelling, etc. (But again, young readers probably wouldn't even notice.)
The characters were all great though and the writing was very good. I'd like to read something else by this author (she's written books for all ages), but it looks like she mostly writes horror.
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3 stars, okay. If I were a young reader, I probably would have given it all the stars in the sky.
Quick synopsis : Set in a world where supernatural stuff is real and commonplace, a girl who is nothing special at all needs to defeat something bad and save her family.
Brief opinion : The writing, characters, nearly everything was excellent. Unfortunately the book is meant for young readers (8-12) and there were no surprises at all in the plot for me, which robbed the story of nearly all of the fun.
Plot : In a world where even the most average person has at least a spark of magic, Charlie has nothing. She's completely normal. She does however have a psychic brother, a werewolf brother, and a ghost sister. Plus her parents both work for a government agency that deals with supernatural problems (or "extranormal" problems, as the book calls them).
One day a new family moves into the neighborhood. The Weavers. And weird spiders start appearing everywhere. And when anyone goes into the Weavers' house, they come out drained and sick. And what's with all these spiderwebs?!
Charlie, who is basically a third parent to her siblings but is too young for so much responsibility, figures out the truth of the Weavers and so she has to help her siblings get over their insecurities and other issues to defeat the Weavers and save their parents, town, and everything else.
Writing/editing : On a technical level, both were outstanding. The writing was really good, the editing was perfect. On a story-level, I had a few issues, but all of them come down to this book wasn't written for adult readers.
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : I don't know how many times I've said that a good MG/YA can be enjoyed by any age, but you can't fault one of them for not being enjoyable to an adult reader -- that very much applies here as well. I never want to guess where the plot is going, I'd rather the story just pulled me along, but at the 10% point of this book I knew every twist and turn that would happen. It's just no fun if you know ahead of time how a book will turn out.
There was a lot of phone texting in the book, and even though the characters were aged 8-12, their grammar was perfect in it. Capitalization, punctuation. When one character was in a really bad situation she dropped the punctuation off the end of her sentences, but otherwise perfect spelling, etc. (But again, young readers probably wouldn't even notice.)
The characters were all great though and the writing was very good. I'd like to read something else by this author (she's written books for all ages), but it looks like she mostly writes horror.
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3 stars, okay. If I were a young reader, I probably would have given it all the stars in the sky.
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