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Eerie Elementary #1
¡La escuela está viva!
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
In this first book in the series, Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is ALIVE! Sam finds this out on his first day as the school hall monitor. Sam must defend himself and his fellow students against the evil school! Is Sam up to the challenge? He'll find out soon enough: the class play is just around the corner. Sam teams up with friends Lucy and Antonio to stop this scary school before it's too late!
In this first book in the series, Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is ALIVE! Sam finds this out on his first day as the school hall monitor. Sam must defend himself and his fellow students against the evil school! Is Sam up to the challenge? He'll find out soon enough: the class play is just around the corner. Sam teams up with friends Lucy and Antonio to stop this scary school before it's too late!
96 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
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1705 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
May 28, 2014
I’ve been testing out Scholastic’s new Branches title, Eerie Elementary: The School is Alive. It’s recommended for grades 1-3. This should speak to its quality: before I read it to a class, I feel obligated to make a public service announcement. “If you feel uncomfortable at any point, you’re welcome to get up, get a drink, take a walk, or find a book to read somewhere else in the library.” So far, nobody’s left but several second graders definitely gripped a neighbor for support.
Sam is Eerie’s newest hall monitor, a position he’s none too excited about. Little does he know the job responsibilities go far beyond reminding his friends to be in class on time. Hand selected by Mr. Nekobi, the aging grounds keeper, Sam quickly discovers that his job isn’t keeping students punctual, it’s keeping them alive. Eerie Elementary eats children and it hasn’t been fed in a very long time. With Mr. Nekobi aging and his replacement still new, the school knows it’s the perfect time to strike.
Unlike Goosebumps, this one gets scary in a hurry. It doesn’t take more than ten pages to find some seriously creepy scenes. One at a time locker doors slam open and shut forcing Sam into the clutches of the gnarled oak tree outside. Everyone else may hear the ticking of the clock but only same can hear the tick-tocks morph into the ba-bumps of a beating heart.
This is an amazing step for early chapter books. Short but vivid sentences, engaging illustrations, and brilliant pacing throughout captures the ability and attention of even the most hesitant readers.
http://mrlewis5.blogspot.com/2014/05/...
Sam is Eerie’s newest hall monitor, a position he’s none too excited about. Little does he know the job responsibilities go far beyond reminding his friends to be in class on time. Hand selected by Mr. Nekobi, the aging grounds keeper, Sam quickly discovers that his job isn’t keeping students punctual, it’s keeping them alive. Eerie Elementary eats children and it hasn’t been fed in a very long time. With Mr. Nekobi aging and his replacement still new, the school knows it’s the perfect time to strike.
Unlike Goosebumps, this one gets scary in a hurry. It doesn’t take more than ten pages to find some seriously creepy scenes. One at a time locker doors slam open and shut forcing Sam into the clutches of the gnarled oak tree outside. Everyone else may hear the ticking of the clock but only same can hear the tick-tocks morph into the ba-bumps of a beating heart.
This is an amazing step for early chapter books. Short but vivid sentences, engaging illustrations, and brilliant pacing throughout captures the ability and attention of even the most hesitant readers.
http://mrlewis5.blogspot.com/2014/05/...
September 4, 2018
An evil school comes alive in this exciting book for early elementary readers. Sam the hall monitor must defeat the school with the help of his best friends and the grizzled old custodian.
This book was fun to read and I really liked the illustrations and design (fun fact, the illustrator is also an alumni of the University of Baltimore).
I can really see students enjoying this creepy adventure and look forward to checking out the rest of the series.
This book was fun to read and I really liked the illustrations and design (fun fact, the illustrator is also an alumni of the University of Baltimore).
I can really see students enjoying this creepy adventure and look forward to checking out the rest of the series.
May 13, 2019
This was such a fun, spooky, and quick read! definitely going to check more the rest of the series. If you're looking for something quick and a little spooky, these are for you. :)
February 25, 2017
Fun, picture-filled pages.
THE SCHOOL IS ALIVE (Eerie Elementary #1) by Jack Chabert, is an early reader with black and white illustrations throughout. My 5-year-old loves illustrated books about kids, and the quirky title/cover of this book caught his eye and the creepy story line held his attention.
Sam Graves and his two friends, Lucy & Antonio, are students at Eerie Elementary School, where Sam discovers the school is trying to eat the students. As Hall Monitor, it's up to Sam to fight the school and save the students. In this installment, during the class play, the stage and props come to life and try to swallow the students.
I read this book to my 5-year-old son, who loved looking at the pictures as I read. Though this is marketed as a book for newly independent young readers, I saw more than a few large words that might be too advanced for a young reader. But as a book read out loud to a pre-schooler, it was perfect. The chapters are numbered with digits, which made my son happy that he could "read" which chapter we were about to start. The print is large enough to point out first sight words for him too.
I'd recommend this book for parents who like to read to their pre-schoolers/kindergardeners/first graders, and especially for kids who like adventure and won't be scared by a dark tale with a student-eating villain.
THE SCHOOL IS ALIVE (Eerie Elementary #1) by Jack Chabert, is an early reader with black and white illustrations throughout. My 5-year-old loves illustrated books about kids, and the quirky title/cover of this book caught his eye and the creepy story line held his attention.
Sam Graves and his two friends, Lucy & Antonio, are students at Eerie Elementary School, where Sam discovers the school is trying to eat the students. As Hall Monitor, it's up to Sam to fight the school and save the students. In this installment, during the class play, the stage and props come to life and try to swallow the students.
I read this book to my 5-year-old son, who loved looking at the pictures as I read. Though this is marketed as a book for newly independent young readers, I saw more than a few large words that might be too advanced for a young reader. But as a book read out loud to a pre-schooler, it was perfect. The chapters are numbered with digits, which made my son happy that he could "read" which chapter we were about to start. The print is large enough to point out first sight words for him too.
I'd recommend this book for parents who like to read to their pre-schoolers/kindergardeners/first graders, and especially for kids who like adventure and won't be scared by a dark tale with a student-eating villain.
April 20, 2019
I started reading this series to my 5 year old twins after we finished the Dragon Masters series. They seem to like it; I will definitely continue the series with them until we finish or they tire of it. But honestly - when you write “all of the sudden” and it gets published, I die a little inside. 🤷🏼♀️
March 9, 2024
"The air outside was like ice. Orange and red leaves whipped across the ground. Sam shoved his hands into his pockets. He could see his breath. It looked like little ghosts were dancing through the air in front of him."
March 16, 2016
Oh yeah! Kids want scary books and this one will fit the bill. A boy is made hall monitor and his school comes alive. Oh dear! Lockers open and bang shut. The schoolyard becomes quicksand. And the school really gets crazy during a performance of Peter Pan. Scary. And fun.
December 21, 2025
Yo elegí este libro para practicar mi español y mejorar mi vocabulario. Este breve volumen para niños en grados dos o tres es un poco espantoso y muy emocionante.
Comienza con un niño, Samuel Cementerio, ganándose el titulo de monitor de pasillo, a pesar de sus deseos. En su primer día, él descubre unas secretas de la escuela, incluyendo unas trampas como arena movediza en el patio de juegos. Samuel tiene un poco miedo pero mayormente es está confundido sobre si que pasó es real. Cuando Samuel está a punto de ir de casa, conoce a el Sr. Necrocomio - el jardinero de la escuela. Con el ayudo de Sr. Necrocomio y sus amigos, Samuel tiene que guardar la escuela de los monstruos - mientras se mantiene concentrado en los estudios y actuaba en la obra de la escuela.
¿Podría convencerlos a sus amigos que las escuela está viva y necesita su ayuda o tenía que guardar la escuela solo? ¿Será capaz de hacerlo?
Otra vez, esta cuenta es divertido y muy bien para estudiantes de 6 a 9 años, más o menos, especialmente cerca de Octubre.
Comienza con un niño, Samuel Cementerio, ganándose el titulo de monitor de pasillo, a pesar de sus deseos. En su primer día, él descubre unas secretas de la escuela, incluyendo unas trampas como arena movediza en el patio de juegos. Samuel tiene un poco miedo pero mayormente es está confundido sobre si que pasó es real. Cuando Samuel está a punto de ir de casa, conoce a el Sr. Necrocomio - el jardinero de la escuela. Con el ayudo de Sr. Necrocomio y sus amigos, Samuel tiene que guardar la escuela de los monstruos - mientras se mantiene concentrado en los estudios y actuaba en la obra de la escuela.
¿Podría convencerlos a sus amigos que las escuela está viva y necesita su ayuda o tenía que guardar la escuela solo? ¿Será capaz de hacerlo?
Otra vez, esta cuenta es divertido y muy bien para estudiantes de 6 a 9 años, más o menos, especialmente cerca de Octubre.
January 19, 2023
Muy padre, las ilustraciones están padrísimas y el cuento está genial 🤩.
July 24, 2022
Just love this series - Sam becomes the hall monitor. And chaos ensues. But his friends can't see the school for what it really is - alive.
July 14, 2014
I was awarded this title by NetGalley.
It was a good children's book. I remember finding out my bedroom closet had the door to the attic, my older sister was good at trying to scare me about things like that.
The thought that your school is evil, alive and attempting to eat you must be something we all can relate to. Sam being a hero and beating the school, saving his friends is a good message to teach, it was not preaching, or setting goals for kids that make winning something they cannot do themselves.
I am 50, and when I turn out the lights in the warehouse, I run to the door to get back in the office before anything can grab me - and at that moment I am exactly 6!
It was a good children's book. I remember finding out my bedroom closet had the door to the attic, my older sister was good at trying to scare me about things like that.
The thought that your school is evil, alive and attempting to eat you must be something we all can relate to. Sam being a hero and beating the school, saving his friends is a good message to teach, it was not preaching, or setting goals for kids that make winning something they cannot do themselves.
I am 50, and when I turn out the lights in the warehouse, I run to the door to get back in the office before anything can grab me - and at that moment I am exactly 6!
November 20, 2014
My first grader grandson picked this out at a school book fair. Of course grandma was happy to buy him a book. I read it while he was immersed in the book grandpa bought him. He can easily read chapter books at the 2nd/3rd grade level, but I am not sure this is a good choice for a first grader. Many "scary" books for young readers have an alternate world that the hero enters. In this case the school building itself is the monster. This may be a bit much for the youngest readers. He will finish it today when I am not with him. He will probably tell me it was a good book, but I will still wonder if it is a bit too frightening for him.
January 13, 2016
Very choppy story. No connection to the characters. Limited probably due to its "Branches" affiliation but others in this group seem to do a LOT better. Nothing makes me really look forward to the next book.
Scare factor...if you're really young...yeah. But I don't want to scare kids not in school yet...to be afraid of their own school!
Scare factor...if you're really young...yeah. But I don't want to scare kids not in school yet...to be afraid of their own school!
April 16, 2015
So many of our second and third grade students are constantly asking for scary stories. I feel pretty uncomfortable handing them most of the options we have, not to mention those wouldn't fall into their reading levels anyway. This is a nice alternative. While the story isn't anything mind-blowing, there is definitely an audience looking for these.
July 1, 2022
First sentence: “This is HORRIBLE!” said Sam Graves. He was holding up a shiny orange sash. “I can’t believe I have to wear this.” It was Monday morning, and Sam and his best friends Antonio and Lucy were standing in front of their lockers.
Premise/plot: Sam Graves was not thrilled to be named hall monitor even before he knew the job came with thrills and chills. But the custodian, Mr. Nekobi, has hand-picked him to be "the one." The magic, chosen one who can protect the students of Eerie Elementary from the school itself. As the title states out right, the school is alive...and the students are NOT safe. It will be up to Sam (and to a lesser degree his friends Antonio and Lucy) to save everyone. But first he'll have to survive it himself.
My thoughts: Heavily illustrated chapter book for young readers. That is definitely one way to describe this one. It does offer "thrills and chills" for a young(er) audience. No adult who reads 'real' horror (for their own age group) is going to find this one too scary or daring.
Horror, even horror lite, is not my favorite or best genre or subgenre. I can say that now as an adult. And I can remember back to my own childhood. This book wouldn't have been "for me" then either. I'd hate to think of how more terrifying my childhood could have been if the idea of METAL FOLDING CHAIRS COMING TO LIFE AND EATING PEOPLE had been introduced through a book.
The book celebrates the absurd through a darker lens than say Tom Angleberger (who keeps things hilariously absurd....and way over the top.)
I do think *some* kids will think this book and subsequent books in the series to be great fun. And any book that gets a child super-excited about reading, that keeps readers coming back for more, more, more has some value.
I don't think every children's book should be the samey-same. I don't think children's books should be exclusively bunnies, unicorns, and ballerinas.
Premise/plot: Sam Graves was not thrilled to be named hall monitor even before he knew the job came with thrills and chills. But the custodian, Mr. Nekobi, has hand-picked him to be "the one." The magic, chosen one who can protect the students of Eerie Elementary from the school itself. As the title states out right, the school is alive...and the students are NOT safe. It will be up to Sam (and to a lesser degree his friends Antonio and Lucy) to save everyone. But first he'll have to survive it himself.
My thoughts: Heavily illustrated chapter book for young readers. That is definitely one way to describe this one. It does offer "thrills and chills" for a young(er) audience. No adult who reads 'real' horror (for their own age group) is going to find this one too scary or daring.
Horror, even horror lite, is not my favorite or best genre or subgenre. I can say that now as an adult. And I can remember back to my own childhood. This book wouldn't have been "for me" then either. I'd hate to think of how more terrifying my childhood could have been if the idea of METAL FOLDING CHAIRS COMING TO LIFE AND EATING PEOPLE had been introduced through a book.
The book celebrates the absurd through a darker lens than say Tom Angleberger (who keeps things hilariously absurd....and way over the top.)
I do think *some* kids will think this book and subsequent books in the series to be great fun. And any book that gets a child super-excited about reading, that keeps readers coming back for more, more, more has some value.
I don't think every children's book should be the samey-same. I don't think children's books should be exclusively bunnies, unicorns, and ballerinas.
November 6, 2020
This is a fun first chapter book for young readers. Every child thinks something is strange with their school. Sam Graves is chosen as hall monitor, a job every student doesn't want. He begins to notice strange things happening at school. The story ensues to share what is wrong with the school and how he became hall monitor.
This series is a great addition to read for students in grades 1-3. As a teacher, I enjoyed reading the series as well.
This series is a great addition to read for students in grades 1-3. As a teacher, I enjoyed reading the series as well.
September 19, 2022
This was a pretty cute book to read with my special education class. They were engaged the entire time and learned new vocabulary. It’s also a great tool for teaching onomatopoeia, personification, and similes. I wish that it was a little more detailed and flowed a little better, but overall it was a cute book.
November 9, 2020
Just the right amount of creepy and adventure. Wonderful illustrations. The 7 year old enjoyed reading to and with me. The 5 reflection questions at the end for comprehension bumped this up the last star.
May 15, 2017
I enjoyed this story and the beautiful, shadow-filled illustrations, but it might be a little scary for some of the younger readers.
December 30, 2019
For a kid's book this was cute! Read to my 7 yo son over the past couple of nights. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series with him soon!
June 16, 2020
This book is very interesting and very mysterious. It makes you think what is going to happen next. I really like how the writer made the story. For example, the pictures explain the words too.
September 1, 2020
This was just the right amount of scary for my Munchkin.
January 1, 2021
Super cute, LOVED the illustrations.
June 23, 2021
This book is marked for Grade 2 and was seriously adorable and spooky (silly description…I know). If my mom read this to as a kid, I would be scared to go to bed! I had a very active imagination when I was a kid and was scared of the dark until I was in middle school!
But no fears, this book shouldn’t give your child any nightmares (no guarantees!).
Also, who wouldn’t love being a hall monitor? Not having to rush to class before being marked for tardiness is a win for me! Haha. Also, I feel for Sam when he tries to tell his friends, Lucy and Antonio, about the school being alive and they just shrug it off. Pet peeve when people don’t believe me.
I may be tempted to read the entire series!
But no fears, this book shouldn’t give your child any nightmares (no guarantees!).
Also, who wouldn’t love being a hall monitor? Not having to rush to class before being marked for tardiness is a win for me! Haha. Also, I feel for Sam when he tries to tell his friends, Lucy and Antonio, about the school being alive and they just shrug it off. Pet peeve when people don’t believe me.
I may be tempted to read the entire series!
July 27, 2021
Cute and spooky! This is a great series for young ones who may not be ready for the full-on spookiness of R.L. Stine.
June 24, 2022
BANGER LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOO
October 24, 2022
Fun, suspenseful beginner chapter book!
September 27, 2023
My youngest son and I read this together. He liked it, but I thought it was absolutely bizarre. I guess it’s an intro to the horror genre for readers not quite ready for Goosebumps. However, the plot for the first half felt all over the place though.
June 24, 2024
My four year old didn’t want to put this one down! She loved it so much. It was definitely a fun read with a little creepy (for kids) edge to it!
January 14, 2025
3.5
My 7yo enjoyed this. I think it scared him a bit, as there were a few times he asked me to stop reading (although, he may have just been really ready to go to sleep). The premise is interesting. I hope as the series progresses there is a bit more character development.
My 7yo enjoyed this. I think it scared him a bit, as there were a few times he asked me to stop reading (although, he may have just been really ready to go to sleep). The premise is interesting. I hope as the series progresses there is a bit more character development.
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