Snap of the Super-Goop: A Branches Book

The Notebook of Doom #10

by Troy Cummings

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, 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 tenth book, Alexander keeps seeing monsters that the S.S.M.P. has ALREADY defeated! But his friends Rip and Nikki think he is going crazy. Could there be zombie monsters on the loose? Or is there a monster that can turn into ANYTHING? Alexander will have to protect the town -- and the notebook -- from Stermont's latest monster!

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Chapter Books, 2nd Grade, Humor

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2016

Reviews

[Lilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very surprising.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3rd grader and I read this together and he gives it 4 stars. He loves this series.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The SSMP is considering a new member while Alexander is sure he's seeing all these past monsters they've already defeated. No one else has seen anything and Alexander's not sure what is going on. The group also is trying to figure out who might be working for the big boss who is after their notebook. Meanwhile, their teacher is being extra mean to Nikki for some reason while she seems to love Rip.

Things are getting pretty tense in this book. This boss after the kids seems to mean business and thus this is probably the most serious of these books so far. It still shouldn't give kids nightmares, but it may keep them awake wondering what's going to happen in the next book. Sadly, I don't have the next book available and also didn't have #9 so I missed the introduction of Dottie, the newest member of the SSMP. This one will definitely help keep reluctant readers tearing through pages.

Notes on content: The monster in this can imitate anyone and anything and plays with the kids' minds a little. Violence is threatened, but no one is hurt except the monster who is just dried out.

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My thoughts} – Alexander keeps thinking that he is seeing many of the monsters he and his friends have already defeated. He isn’t really sure what to make of it other then, they don’t believe him and he is starting to feel like he is losing his mind. He comes to the conclusion that maybe they aren’t or haven’t really been there all along.

One day he hangs back in the class to talk to his teacher. He opens up to her and tells her about their monster hunting club. Nikki saves him from making a huge mistake, however in the end the teacher still manages to get a look at the Notebook that they use to record all the monsters that are in Stermont. It isn’t a good situation but it is the one that they are left with all things considering.

Alexander feels pretty foolish over everything that happened, but he has his three best friends and they help him to move forward. They just don’t have much choice but to create a whole new Notebook.

I look forward to reading more books in this series very soon!

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you need books for your lower elementary students that they will hook them like the Magic Tree House and Captain Underpants series', check this series out. Actually all the Branches collections by Scholastic are wonderful and loved by my students. I have not had one that they don't find interesting. The reading level is perfect for new readers, though the Branches books have younger versions that are like the Fly Guy series now, this series Notebook of Doom is right around early 2nd grade reading level. Certainly a high consideration for elementary collections.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben is a big fan of this series, and I think they're the perfect length and complexity for an early-elementary aged kid to listen to (still too hard for Ben to read in 1st grade). There are monsters and some moments of light scariness, but nothing too intense. There's a predictable format, but there's more flexibility than in series like Magic Tree House, where literal sentences repeat from book to book. We can read a few chapters a night, and there are ample illustrations to break up the text.

[Dolce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very exciting with twisted endings and it was all so very awesome. Dr Tallow was always expected to be a monster but near the end of the book I really thought she’d be that super goop. Dottie is like the cutest character and I think she is my favorite. Nikki is crazy with her hoody. Jampire is something I never expected. Rip is crazy as well. His fighting and punching going crazy. Alexander is so smart and he’s the leader. The notebook of doom is just so crazy.

[Danielle Minster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snap of the Super-Goop is a fantasy book. This book is hilariously silly. It is unique as it includes report style pictures and descriptions of the monsters they encounter so the reader is aware of what the kids are facing. The names of the monsters are creative and very fitting, for example, a Bumpy Mummy is a bubble wrapped warrior. I would use this in a third or fourth grade class.

[Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son absolutely loves this series. I think it's just ok. I will admit that it's fun and moves quick, but I wish there was a bit more substance to it and it wasn't so, well, weird. As long as my son is excited about reading, I am happy, but this isn't my favorite of the Branches/Scholastic series for young elementary students.

[raccoon reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so awesome. I feel like this has been the best book so far! Sad it will be coming to an end soon. It captures the imagination of young children so vividly and the author is doing a great job fleshing out the monster world.

[Shawn A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun

Good good to to be back at work and have some time with my friends today to discuss my life with you all the way through the weekend and I hope you have a great day and I hope to read this book again soon

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dexter (8yo) read.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second grader had been reading this series, pretty fun books.

[ben adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Empire Strikes Back of this series

[Fivefivefive · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little set of books I've been reading with my youngest.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was right about her being bad but not about being the boss...who is it?! Could it possibly be... no, no way...well...

[Hallie Mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, really juvenile, read it for my mother who is a teacher

[A-drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A is checking these books out at his school library (CCE - 2nd grade - age 7)
Mom and Dad are having fun reading these books aloud to A. We all enjoy them. They are silly and fun.

[MisterT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced fun.

[Jen Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with my daughter. She really enjoyed it!

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I like trains. I also liked this book because I like silly putty.

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was weird because Alexander saw that his teacher had to use lotion all the time and it turned out she was the super goop! They defeated her by turning the dryer to Sahara Desert! And that was kind of weird because all of Alexander's schools are weird.

[Daniel Peet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was shocking because something happen when you least expect it

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

11/20/2017 ** Yep...the series is evolving. I finally got to read March of the Vanderpants (#12) and realized that I needed to go back a few books to refresh my memory of several key monster fights. Can't wait for the dramatic conclusion!

6/28/2016 ** An excellent addition to the Notebook of Doom series. I've appreciated the way the series is evolving as the end comes into sight. With Book #9 the reader had a hint that there was a master monster controlling all the monsters in the town of Stermont. Those hints crystallized in this book. Can't wait for the next one.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Xavier loves these and is starting to understand the play-on-words chapter titles. I totally saw the villain coming and know who the Boss Monster is, but X doesn't. So it is perfect for that age. Looking forward to December for number 11.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent entry in this series. My children were absolutely spellbound and each night they begged me to read "one more chapter!". The Notebook of Doom series is truly one of a kind when it comes to making children want to read.

[Anna]

Guided Reading Level O

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The clues are all there, and astute readers should be able to figure out exactly who is the monster and what is going on in this shape shifting adventure.

[Keri Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. I wish I would have realized that this is a huge series. I need to read #1 to make a full judgement. Quick read with short chapters and cute illustrations. Kids will like.