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Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting #2
Beasts & Geeks
Goosebumps meets The Last Kids on Earth in the second action-packed adventure in a hilariously scary series about a secret society of monster-bashing babysitters.
“This shining gem in the campy monster drama genre is a step up from R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps.” —School Library Journal
Kelly’s been a celebrity ever since she defeated the Boogeyman and his army of nightmares on Halloween. But now all the other monsters want revenge.
And if Kelly’s going to survive Babysitter Bootcamp, she’ll have to face the Spider Queen, whose wicked web turns her parents, BFF, and middle-school teachers into mindless minions. All in a night’s work!
“This shining gem in the campy monster drama genre is a step up from R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps.” —School Library Journal
Kelly’s been a celebrity ever since she defeated the Boogeyman and his army of nightmares on Halloween. But now all the other monsters want revenge.
And if Kelly’s going to survive Babysitter Bootcamp, she’ll have to face the Spider Queen, whose wicked web turns her parents, BFF, and middle-school teachers into mindless minions. All in a night’s work!
320 pages, ebook
First published June 19, 2018
19 people are currently reading
1144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 26, 2018
This was an amazing, awesome, fabulous, OMG YOU NEED TO READ THIS book. :)
I was so excited when this book came out, and I just had to read it instantly. And I am happy I did as I couldn't stop reading, it was just too good, too exciting. Sure, there were a few things that made me roll my eyes.
Kelly is back, and we instantly jump into the action as Kelly is at a very important camp. She wants to become a babysitter for real and has to show all she can to be allowed. Yep, this girl defeated a boogeymen in the previous book, but that is just not enough. And yes, I can kind of understand that they wouldn't just give her babysitter instantly, but it would be kind of nice as she does deserve it.
Yes, she has a lot to learn. Yes, she needs to practice her skills in both fighting and babysitting (especially babies), but throughout the book I was definitely seeing her as one of the best babysitters there is in the area. She shows that even when faced with something new, a baby, she still does her best, cares for him the best she can and protects him with all her might. She loves him, and I was just so happy to see her find out more new skills.
Plus dang, this girl is just kick-ass. She also tries to get over her fear of spiders (something that is definitely needed given who Serena is and what she employs as minions).
I loved that this book focused on two boogeymen, Serena and Gonzalo. Mostly we see Serena and all the crimes she has committed, what she is, and how far she will go to get what she wants (really really really far in many creepy ways), but we also see Gonzalo and all the horrors he is committing (and dang, I am guessing he will be the next boogeymen on the list? For next book?).
How Serena discovered our babysitter's hideout was just the dumbest. You would think that a babysitter would know to cover up her tracks, especially when one of the biggest enemies is wandering around nearby. Instead she apparently cared more about a certain person, which OK, is kind cute especially as she hasn't seen that person in years and thought he was dead or not healthy. But still, come on.
Sorry, but I was seriously shaking my head when our girl goes to say that she doesn't call boogeymen boogeymen, but instead calls them boogeypeople. For crying out loud. People, pulease. Really, is it needed to make everything neutral? It just seemed a bit too forced. Oh, hey, this is a topic that is hot and happening, let me just make my character say this and that. Totally not out of place or anything. *rolls eyes*
I also thought it was a bit harsh that everyone was quite mean towards Kelly regarding her babysitting/her becoming a babysitter (officially). I mean, she did all that for them (and more, and does even more in this current book), and what does she get? Nothing. Well not til the end that is. I do have the feeling they may have partially done it because they wanted to protect her, but still, I didn't quite like this attitude.
We also see Tammy, and I just hope that this girl will see the light and drop the mean girls for once. She seems like such a sweet girl, with some faults but we all got our faults. And she does seem to understand about Kelly's situation, she even believed her during one moment in the book when things went wrong. And then near the ending, she shared a knowing look with Kelly.
The ending battle that takes place at Serena's mansion, oh man, that sure was one that I couldn't stop reading. It was so exciting, so well written. I already flew through the book at top speed, but now I went even faster.
Great that we see some POVs from others. Not many, but definitely a few that gave even more insight on the story and what was going on.
Plus we also have the guide that pops up with some creepy monsters and fantastic stories/information about them. Can we please have a book just about this? A whole guide about the monsters? Separate from the normal books?
The romance between Victor and Kelly, oh my gosh, I was just awwwing the whole time. Though I had to say I was a bit eh when she started about the Fault in the Stars. Oh good grief.... Romantic moment and you ruin it with that reference. Good job. :| But other than that, love love love it. I am also happy that Kelly lets Victor come with her. He is definitely a help to the team, and I think he could also become a babysitter if he wants to.
Phew, I probably missed some things I still wanted to say, but I think I got the important things down. I would recommend this book to everyone looking for a creepy, supernatural, fun read with great characters.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was so excited when this book came out, and I just had to read it instantly. And I am happy I did as I couldn't stop reading, it was just too good, too exciting. Sure, there were a few things that made me roll my eyes.
Kelly is back, and we instantly jump into the action as Kelly is at a very important camp. She wants to become a babysitter for real and has to show all she can to be allowed. Yep, this girl defeated a boogeymen in the previous book, but that is just not enough. And yes, I can kind of understand that they wouldn't just give her babysitter instantly, but it would be kind of nice as she does deserve it.
Yes, she has a lot to learn. Yes, she needs to practice her skills in both fighting and babysitting (especially babies), but throughout the book I was definitely seeing her as one of the best babysitters there is in the area. She shows that even when faced with something new, a baby, she still does her best, cares for him the best she can and protects him with all her might. She loves him, and I was just so happy to see her find out more new skills.
Plus dang, this girl is just kick-ass. She also tries to get over her fear of spiders (something that is definitely needed given who Serena is and what she employs as minions).
I loved that this book focused on two boogeymen, Serena and Gonzalo. Mostly we see Serena and all the crimes she has committed, what she is, and how far she will go to get what she wants (really really really far in many creepy ways), but we also see Gonzalo and all the horrors he is committing (and dang, I am guessing he will be the next boogeymen on the list? For next book?).
How Serena discovered our babysitter's hideout was just the dumbest. You would think that a babysitter would know to cover up her tracks, especially when one of the biggest enemies is wandering around nearby. Instead she apparently cared more about a certain person, which OK, is kind cute especially as she hasn't seen that person in years and thought he was dead or not healthy. But still, come on.
Sorry, but I was seriously shaking my head when our girl goes to say that she doesn't call boogeymen boogeymen, but instead calls them boogeypeople. For crying out loud. People, pulease. Really, is it needed to make everything neutral? It just seemed a bit too forced. Oh, hey, this is a topic that is hot and happening, let me just make my character say this and that. Totally not out of place or anything. *rolls eyes*
I also thought it was a bit harsh that everyone was quite mean towards Kelly regarding her babysitting/her becoming a babysitter (officially). I mean, she did all that for them (and more, and does even more in this current book), and what does she get? Nothing. Well not til the end that is. I do have the feeling they may have partially done it because they wanted to protect her, but still, I didn't quite like this attitude.
We also see Tammy, and I just hope that this girl will see the light and drop the mean girls for once. She seems like such a sweet girl, with some faults but we all got our faults. And she does seem to understand about Kelly's situation, she even believed her during one moment in the book when things went wrong. And then near the ending, she shared a knowing look with Kelly.
The ending battle that takes place at Serena's mansion, oh man, that sure was one that I couldn't stop reading. It was so exciting, so well written. I already flew through the book at top speed, but now I went even faster.
Great that we see some POVs from others. Not many, but definitely a few that gave even more insight on the story and what was going on.
Plus we also have the guide that pops up with some creepy monsters and fantastic stories/information about them. Can we please have a book just about this? A whole guide about the monsters? Separate from the normal books?
The romance between Victor and Kelly, oh my gosh, I was just awwwing the whole time. Though I had to say I was a bit eh when she started about the Fault in the Stars. Oh good grief.... Romantic moment and you ruin it with that reference. Good job. :| But other than that, love love love it. I am also happy that Kelly lets Victor come with her. He is definitely a help to the team, and I think he could also become a babysitter if he wants to.
Phew, I probably missed some things I still wanted to say, but I think I got the important things down. I would recommend this book to everyone looking for a creepy, supernatural, fun read with great characters.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
December 18, 2023
Joe Ballarini this series is awesome!
No matter what age you are. I highly recommend this book. It's Goosebumps meets babysitters club mash up! So spooky and scary and facing your fears and protecting the world all at the same time.
I was all playing this in my head like a movie. I was so transfixed in this book. I felt like I was fighting along with them. Lol. The sketches in the book are truly wonderful. Before I even seen the image the descriptions of the monsters were so good.
The characters crack me up. Especially Kelly. She holds a special place in my heart. We all need alittle bit of Kelly in our hearts
No matter what age you are. I highly recommend this book. It's Goosebumps meets babysitters club mash up! So spooky and scary and facing your fears and protecting the world all at the same time.
I was all playing this in my head like a movie. I was so transfixed in this book. I felt like I was fighting along with them. Lol. The sketches in the book are truly wonderful. Before I even seen the image the descriptions of the monsters were so good.
The characters crack me up. Especially Kelly. She holds a special place in my heart. We all need alittle bit of Kelly in our hearts
October 20, 2020
In Beasts and Geeks it starts up a little bit after what happened in the first book. Kelly is enjoying a bit of celebrity status among the babysitters because of what happened at the end of the first book. Though things are not going so well for her at babysitter bootcamp.
She gets an ominous message from a creature (can't remember what it was, sorry) about needing to protect the turtle. They all think this is kind of strange until Kelly ends up with a babysitting emergency. A young mother needs her right away and even though she really isn't suppose to be taking on more assignments she does anyway and ends up protecting an infant (with a turtle birthmark) from the evil Spider Queen!
The Spider Queen is out for revenge for what Kelly has done and the Spider Queen and her minions (nasty spiders) turn her family, friends and a lot of others into mindless minions to do her bidding. It's up to Kelly once again to fight a monster and save everyone!
Super cute and fun story perfect for this time of the year! I love the gang of babysitter so much they each have their strengths and weaknesses. Even though Kelly is the main character it's the side characters that create a fun story! I can't remember all their names but I loved how the one girl is so crushing on Curtis and he has no clue! I love Victor because he must really like Kelly to go through so much trouble to spend time with her and get involved with babysitters and monsters!
Highly recommend this for young readers and well adults too! :)
She gets an ominous message from a creature (can't remember what it was, sorry) about needing to protect the turtle. They all think this is kind of strange until Kelly ends up with a babysitting emergency. A young mother needs her right away and even though she really isn't suppose to be taking on more assignments she does anyway and ends up protecting an infant (with a turtle birthmark) from the evil Spider Queen!
The Spider Queen is out for revenge for what Kelly has done and the Spider Queen and her minions (nasty spiders) turn her family, friends and a lot of others into mindless minions to do her bidding. It's up to Kelly once again to fight a monster and save everyone!
Super cute and fun story perfect for this time of the year! I love the gang of babysitter so much they each have their strengths and weaknesses. Even though Kelly is the main character it's the side characters that create a fun story! I can't remember all their names but I loved how the one girl is so crushing on Curtis and he has no clue! I love Victor because he must really like Kelly to go through so much trouble to spend time with her and get involved with babysitters and monsters!
Highly recommend this for young readers and well adults too! :)
August 25, 2020
Kelly is the kid I wanted to be at that age. She is so relatable with her dorky ways and curly hair and still having a crush and wanting friends to like her. The adventures in this book keeps you glued to it and has great humor to accompany it.
Read this is also going to be an animated series!
Excited to read the next in the series.
Read this is also going to be an animated series!
Excited to read the next in the series.
July 14, 2021
This is the second book in the series a babysitters guide to monster hunting. Many connections happen in this book, victor and Kelly, liz and Kevin etc. And Kelly finally becomes a babysitter. In this book Serena, the spider queen comes to town and the babysitters and Kelly go through a tough but not impossible time to defeat her and the others while taking care a newborn hero. This book made me cry, laugh, smile at the same time. Therefore I give it five stars.
June 19, 2019
Such a clever and fun series, the 2nd is as good as the first. If Buffy started as a babysitter.
July 11, 2018
My name is Liz, and I am a babysitter, sworn to protect innocent kids from deadly monsters. Kelly defeated the Grand Guignol last month, so the other six Boogeymen will be seeking revenge against her. She babysat baby Theo for me while I searched for the Spider Queen Serena, but I wasn't prepared for the anger I felt when I found my little brother changed into a big, blue, furry monster. Serena is biting humans to create an army of minions, so it looks like war has already been declared. She always seems to be one step ahead of us, and Mama Vee is missing too. Luckily, Kelly does a pretty good job for a newb, and the Spider Queen hasn't gotten her fangs into Theo yet. He's destined to grow up and become a great monster killer. Unfortunately, right now, monsters have a super sense of smell that can detect his stinky diapers!
I continue to be amazed at the entertainment value of this series. I never would have imagined being enamored by a worldwide group of young babysitters. I'm impressed by the adventure, action, and humor in the fast-paced plot. Kelly is the main character, and everyone can relate to her life as a middle school student. There are moments of forgetting her homework, problems with an old friendship, and complications of first love. However, most of the story focuses on the monsters' efforts to capture little Theo. You must keep reminding yourself that this diapered baby is supposed to grow up and defeat all of the monsters. In addition, his unexplained wails are actually warnings that monsters are nearby. An unusual twist to the plot is that Serena is transforming most of the minor characters into her puppets. Consequently, readers must constantly question everyone Kelly meets along the way. Are they under Serena's control. Another emotional complication pops up early in the story when Kelly fails to pass her babysitter training. How can she be a special monster hunter when she can't even pass her classes? I can highly recommend this series to you; you don't really need to read the first book in order to enjoy this one.
I continue to be amazed at the entertainment value of this series. I never would have imagined being enamored by a worldwide group of young babysitters. I'm impressed by the adventure, action, and humor in the fast-paced plot. Kelly is the main character, and everyone can relate to her life as a middle school student. There are moments of forgetting her homework, problems with an old friendship, and complications of first love. However, most of the story focuses on the monsters' efforts to capture little Theo. You must keep reminding yourself that this diapered baby is supposed to grow up and defeat all of the monsters. In addition, his unexplained wails are actually warnings that monsters are nearby. An unusual twist to the plot is that Serena is transforming most of the minor characters into her puppets. Consequently, readers must constantly question everyone Kelly meets along the way. Are they under Serena's control. Another emotional complication pops up early in the story when Kelly fails to pass her babysitter training. How can she be a special monster hunter when she can't even pass her classes? I can highly recommend this series to you; you don't really need to read the first book in order to enjoy this one.
October 18, 2020
I’m loving these books! I’m going through them in a day or less! They’re so good! Such a fun time! This one had all the things I loved about the 1st one, & more. This time Kelly(& us as well) are more knowledgeable about the monster/babysitter world. She is going through Heck weekend, & is a “babysitter in training”. They also have another of the 7 Boogeymen(Boogeypeople lol) to face-the Spider Queen. Who is creeeeeeepppppyyyyy. Her name says it all. We also learn more about Liz’s brother & that situation. There’s a lot at stake, & the suspense, & tensions are high. Another great adventure. It is the 2nd, so I don’t want to say too much & spoil anything. Loved it, & it gave me all the spooky season feels. I also watched the new Netflix movie & really enjoyed it! Highly recommend these books. Reading & loving the 3rd book right now!💜💜
Synopsis of 1st book in series: When middle schooler Kelly Ferguson’s Halloween plans switch from party-going to babysitting, she thinks the scariest part of her night will be the death of her social life. But then Baby Jacob gets kidnapped by the Boogeyman’s minions and Kelly learns there’s a whole lot more to childcare than free snacks and Netflix. Like chasing shadow monsters, drop-kicking Toadies, and mastering monster-fighting moves like the Naptime Headlock and Playground Punch.
Now, with the help of an ancient handbook and a secret society of butt-kicking babysitters, Kelly sets out to destroy the Boogeyman before he brings Jacob’s nightmares to life. But when the monsters’ trail leads to her school’s big Halloween bash, Kelly will have to prove she can save the world—without totally embarrassing herself in front of her friends.
Synopsis of 1st book in series: When middle schooler Kelly Ferguson’s Halloween plans switch from party-going to babysitting, she thinks the scariest part of her night will be the death of her social life. But then Baby Jacob gets kidnapped by the Boogeyman’s minions and Kelly learns there’s a whole lot more to childcare than free snacks and Netflix. Like chasing shadow monsters, drop-kicking Toadies, and mastering monster-fighting moves like the Naptime Headlock and Playground Punch.
Now, with the help of an ancient handbook and a secret society of butt-kicking babysitters, Kelly sets out to destroy the Boogeyman before he brings Jacob’s nightmares to life. But when the monsters’ trail leads to her school’s big Halloween bash, Kelly will have to prove she can save the world—without totally embarrassing herself in front of her friends.
September 3, 2018
Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting: Beasts and Geeks was quite a good read. Kelly is famous for taking out the Great Guignol, yet she can't pass Heck Weekend and what's more her babysitter gig is interfering with her life at school and her love life with Victor while she thinks Tammy ditched her to hang with the "Princess Pack".
Yet as she tries to juggle her new responsibilities, Liz is on the hunt of tracking down her brother and her traces link to the next Boogey-person aka Serena the Spider Queen who has big plans for Kelly's town and her main target is a cute little baby named Theo, which Kelly must protect-but how can she protect the child when mind-controlling spiders are turning those closest to her against her.
It was quite a good read, like watching a sequel movie in the mind-there were some good parts, cheesy romantic parts between Kelly and Victor-scary images (Even what Serena truly looks like and the creepy spiders on a kid's face), I didn't like the whole "scat bits" throughout the book even when a giant Squatch took a dump on the ground-NOT A big fan of crap skits written in scenes OR A PICTURE OF different scat.
Anyway this was a fun book to read and I can't wait for the third book.
Yet as she tries to juggle her new responsibilities, Liz is on the hunt of tracking down her brother and her traces link to the next Boogey-person aka Serena the Spider Queen who has big plans for Kelly's town and her main target is a cute little baby named Theo, which Kelly must protect-but how can she protect the child when mind-controlling spiders are turning those closest to her against her.
It was quite a good read, like watching a sequel movie in the mind-there were some good parts, cheesy romantic parts between Kelly and Victor-scary images (Even what Serena truly looks like and the creepy spiders on a kid's face), I didn't like the whole "scat bits" throughout the book even when a giant Squatch took a dump on the ground-NOT A big fan of crap skits written in scenes OR A PICTURE OF different scat.
Anyway this was a fun book to read and I can't wait for the third book.
October 23, 2020
Would have rated it higher if not for the typos and the major plot holes.. Anywaaays, the story was well-written enough that it flows smoothly so it was a nice continuation from book 1. Also, it's made for kids so I don't think the kids would mind.
This is a continuation from book 1 after Kelly won against her first boogeyperson. Here, Kelly strives to become a full-time babysitter while Serena goes to Kelly's town to exact revenge against her.
Will she be able to survive the challenges to become a Babysitter? Will she survive long enough to flirt again? That's the kind of questions this book answers.
Even though this is far from one of the best books I've read, the storyline is cool enough for me to want to read the next book in the series. :)
This is a continuation from book 1 after Kelly won against her first boogeyperson. Here, Kelly strives to become a full-time babysitter while Serena goes to Kelly's town to exact revenge against her.
Will she be able to survive the challenges to become a Babysitter? Will she survive long enough to flirt again? That's the kind of questions this book answers.
Even though this is far from one of the best books I've read, the storyline is cool enough for me to want to read the next book in the series. :)
April 5, 2021
This is the 2nd book in the series and we have not read book 1 but this was still a fun and enjoyable story. We did have to guess at a few things that referred to the first part but just enough that we understood and it just made us want to also read book 1. It had a good mix of a little scare and sarcasm to let me enjoy it but not too much for the kids to enjoy. The boogeymen are attacking and Kelly is a babysitter that protects her charges from them. The "turtle" is a baby that these monsters want to take and Kelly must not let that happen. There is a lot of action, a little middle school romance and lots of spiders!
July 27, 2018
I really loved this book! “Middle school books” are often very immature and just obnoxious in general. But this series so far has been such a good mix of fun, scary, and thrilling. Kelly is such a fun heroine to follow as she tries to figure out her place in all of the different aspects of her life! She is both strong, but realistically insecure, which again is not something I often find in middle grade books.
June 3, 2019
Kelly and the Order of the Babysitters are back in action in this fast-paced, thrill ride of a second installment to the series. Kelly is up against another Boogieperson as Serena, the spider queen, seeks revenge for the death of the Grand Guignol. Charged with “protecting the turtle hatchling” (an adorable baby named Theo) Kelly has to prove she has what it takes to be a full-fledged babysitter - and save her entire town along the way.
July 24, 2025
Was an improvement over the first book, with more details writing and a more likeable main character. I appreciate the deeper world-building and some of the characters, are annoying ones and moments still hold me back for me. Despite these flaws, it was still a fun read.
September 11, 2019
Loved it! Another great book in this series!
December 6, 2019
This book was good. It had a lot of action and depicts some of the scenes.
February 6, 2021
The second book was amazing and I can't wait to read the third I loved this so much and recommend it.
November 11, 2022
Very good book loved it.
I just HATE all the spiders in this book.
I just HATE all the spiders in this book.
November 26, 2023
Super fun romp through monster land. Love the character development you can actually see happening, and the illustrations sprinkled throughout gave it just the right touch.
May 15, 2025
A funny adventurous book about babysitters fighting monsters.
November 9, 2020
Still a fun read, but I feel like a little bit of magic from the first book was missing here. All of the character's motivations felt a little bit hollow and I wasn't as sold on the Boogey-person this go around. However, this was still a good sequel all things considered.
I wish that there would have been more of Liz in this book, and honestly just more of the other sitters in general. The teamwork aspect of the first book was part of what I loved so much. I think Ballarini was trying to keep them out to develop Kelly a bit more as a character and babysitter, but I missed our squad! We just got so emotionally invested in them during book 1 and they were mostly MIA here.
I wish that there would have been more of Liz in this book, and honestly just more of the other sitters in general. The teamwork aspect of the first book was part of what I loved so much. I think Ballarini was trying to keep them out to develop Kelly a bit more as a character and babysitter, but I missed our squad! We just got so emotionally invested in them during book 1 and they were mostly MIA here.
December 31, 2020
As the first book has been, this book was very interesting. It tells the story of how our protagonist Kelly Furgison has to fight another one of the Boogey People and save another kid.
This book has a similar storyline as the first, but is interesting in its own way all the same. As it was with the book before, this one is written in a way that makes you laugh and stay interested until you finished it. With a different final fight than you would have expected from it.
In general I really liked it and would really recommend it and the series in general.
This book has a similar storyline as the first, but is interesting in its own way all the same. As it was with the book before, this one is written in a way that makes you laugh and stay interested until you finished it. With a different final fight than you would have expected from it.
In general I really liked it and would really recommend it and the series in general.
January 22, 2021
Good book!
I really like Kelly and the rest of the gang! The book is well-written and fast paced. I did have to skim a few parts though because I have arachnophobia and there are a lot of spiders in this book.
I really like Kelly and the rest of the gang! The book is well-written and fast paced. I did have to skim a few parts though because I have arachnophobia and there are a lot of spiders in this book.
December 5, 2023
This book is so good. I love it when Kevin and Liz get reunited. <3
Honestly I liked this one better than the first one and Kevin and Liz's relationship as sibling so much. Very happy Liz got her brother back.
Honestly I liked this one better than the first one and Kevin and Liz's relationship as sibling so much. Very happy Liz got her brother back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2021
This one is definitely my favorite out of all three!!!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews