Battle of the Boss-Monster

The Notebook of Doom #13

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!

The Super Secret Monster Patrol has protected Stermont from all kinds of monsters. But is the S.S.M.P. ready to take on a whole ARMY of monsters? Alexander, Rip, and Nikki need to find the BOSS-MONSTER's secret hideout and steal back the notebook. But first, they'll have to battle her monster army in the ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Chapter Books, Mystery

96 pages, Library Binding

Published December 26, 2017

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son has gone from Pre K to the first grade with these books and loved them all. This one has a sense of closure that makes it feel like Cummings may be ending the series. I sincerely hope not. Our family has grown to love them. This one has a set up before a twist ending that my wife said was "going to make me cry". Folks, when a fun adventure series designed for kids (not teens) can do that with adults, the author has really done something. Troy Cummings is to be congratulated for creating a universe our family has enjoyed visiting. We hope there are more adventures in store.

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My thoughts} – I really enjoyed this final conclusion to The Notebook of Doom Series. I think the entire series was well written and well worth the read. I look forward to the newer series that is being released called The Binder of Doom. I already have the first two books in that series to read.

Alexander, Nikki and Rip are on a mission to rescue their principal. She was taken by the Boss-Monster to his secret hide out. They know that they don’t have long to finish this fight because it is Alexander’s 8th birthday and on that day all children forget that they were ever monster fighters and can no longer see the monsters. Like in Dottie’s case, they believe that it was all a game and that it never really happened.

While they are trying to rescue their principal they are also on the look out to get their notebook back. The Boss-Monster has that as well. It takes them some time to follow the clues that their principal had left behind, but eventually they are able to sort things out and figure out where the Boss-Monster is hiding out.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it was a wonderful ending to the series. I also think that it left a nice opening for the newer series to be created. I look forward to reading that in the future.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The SSMP needs to find the boss-monster and rescue Vanderpants before Alexander possibly loses his ability to see monsters on his 8th birthday or the plague of monsters that's descended on the town totally destroy everything.

A great conclusion to this series. There are monsters galore, both ones the kids have faced in the past and new ones. They finally find out who the boss-monster is and how it works. And I'm glad that there's still more adventures in store for the SSMP even though they have to do it without their notebook...and you'll just have to read to find out why the notebook is gone. It does explain the change of name for the series even if the characters are the same in the Binder of Doom series. Hand this series to reluctant readers and kids who want a little bit of a thrilling read (but nothing actually scary).

Notes on content: No language issues or sexual content. Violence is threatened by several monsters and the heroes must deal with several monsters, but everyone ends up ok (well, among the heroes) and when the monsters are dispatched it is just things like a balloon being popped or a rock getting broken up into smaller rocks.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

1/5/2018 ~~ I love this series, and I am sad to see the publication of the final book. It's one of the rare early chapter books that works for older readers too - readers who have difficulty finishing full-length chapter books, those who don't see themselves as readers, etc. It also works well for our youngest readers who are ready for more complex books without being ready for the issues and content they may have. Finally, there are enough inside jokes that adults will enjoy reading about Al's, Rip's, and Nikki's adventures.

Things cleared up: Why Mr. Hoarsely was the only adult able to see monsters. How/if Al's Leap Day birthday would be important. Why Dottie suddenly became unable to see monsters. I think readers will enjoy going back through all 12 previous books to identify the monsters wreaking havoc in town in this book (pp. 12-13, pp. 42-43: pranked, burnt, whittled, knotty, rusty, etc.)

Not cleared up: Why Al lives just with his dad; I've always wondered about the back story of his mom.

[Betsy Ellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I were both a little heartbroken to read the final book in this hilarious series. This is one of those rare treats that delight adults as much as kids. The illustrations and wordplay crack me up on so many levels, which is not something I would say about a lot of early chapter books. Troy Cummings endless creativity amazes in his monsters, his fast-paced story ideas, and hilarious dialogue.

The only downside to these books is that at bedtime when your child wants another chapter and then another chapter, it is WAY too easy to say yes!

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the first and the last book of this series after winning them from the author. I look forward to reading all the books in between. The stories are fun, fast paced, and action packed with lots of funny mixed-up, mashed-up monsters. I can definitely see these being a favorite of middle-grade readers.

[ben adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really disappointing ending to an otherwise pretty good series for young readers. The books leading up to this one do a great job of building the tension which is then dissolved through plot points that make very little sense.

[Tovah]

Finished reading the series with my 7yo. It held his interest all the way through and has encouraged him to become an avid reader. Some books were better than others, and all were rather simple for me, but I loved watching his enjoyment of them.

[Jessica O'Neil-Moody]

This was for my children's literature class and this week centered around early transitional chapter books. While it was kinda cute, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting but I can totally see kids today enjoying this.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Notebook of Doom #13

In the thirteenth book of The Notebook of Doom series, Battle of the Boss Monster, the gang has to find the Boss Monster and fight her. Al is turning eight, and is told he will no longer be able to see monsters. Is this the end?

[Heidi Kuipers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate for the series to be over, read all 13 to my kids in the last couple of months.

[Aidan Koelzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book but I did not like the part were Alexander rip and Nikki died!

[J.G. Gatewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun read. Well written and entertaining. Had to read it for school and I read it with my son.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben enjoyed this series all the way to the end! Great read aloud for 5+ or for a stronger reader just getting into shorter chapter books that are high interest with lots of illustrations.

[Anisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are a lot of monsters.

[John May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series is an extremely well done early reader series that can also be read aloud to nearly-readers without feeling fully of choppy short sentences like many other books in this category.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

qwe

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read out loud. Finally got the last installment from the library, and it's great. I loved this series, my kids loved it, Chris loved it.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved the series and this was a good ending. The 1st & 3rd graders here and the 5th and 7th grader all loved listening to me read these stories out loud. Thanks for a fun series!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kind of a let down. We both thought that there would be a bit more to the boss monster. Oh well.

[Sharvil · Rating 5 out of 5]

No telling pls read

[Peejay(Pamela) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early chapter book for ages 6-8. Fun story with lots of busy, action-filled illustrations.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing!

[MisterT · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read. But I don’t get what happened to the boss-monster.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Help. Need bookclub ideas for a boy who just finished first grade. He is a really good reader.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great wrap-up to the entire series! My 6 year old was always excited for each one and enjoyed this finale!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommend for second graders

Have the best time reading this series with my son. We enjoyed all the books and the ending. Five stars.

[Jen Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun series to read with my daughters. We all enjoyed it!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, twisty plot with cool, revealing character traits in this book.

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the S.S.M.P (Super Secret Monster Patrol) fighting the boss monster and a army of monsters that they have fought in the past. My favorite part was when the S.S.M.P found out that the their school (Stormont Elementary)