Mucus Mayhem

The Almost Epic Squad

by Kevin Sylvester, Britt Wilson (illustrator)

In this hilarious, new series, four ordinary kids are about to learn that they are on deck. . . to save the world!

Jessica Flem has spent the better part of her life so far reacting allergically to everything — and much of it in her basement where she rules the online game Gang of Greats. She’s used to a nose that never stops running, but is not prepared for the mysterious power that shows up around her thirteenth birthday — the ability to transform her mucus-filled tissues into slimy magical helpers. And just in time, too.

It turns out there are forces both good and evil who have had their eyes on her and three other “special” kids since their exposure at birth to a mysterious element called reidium. Jess must draw on her full video game knowledge to face the evil Boss and her equally evil henchwoman in their quest for world domination. With her best friend Cliff at her side, and with the stakes ratcheting higher and higher, Jess and her arsenal of mighty. . . well, tissues, must make the world of Dimly, Manitoba, a safe place once again.

In this hilarious new multi-author series, four kids are about to discover what they’re really made of. It might not be a superpower, but it sure is almost a superpower!

Each book features an 8-page “origin story” comic strip, illustrated by Britt Wilson, and is penned by an all-star line-up of authors, including Kevin Sylvester (MiNRS and Neil Flambe series) Ted Staunton (Bounced; Seven series), Lesley Livingston (Wondrous Strange; Valiant series) and Richard Scrimger (Zomboy; The Nose from Jupiter).

Genres: Canada, Middle Grade, Fiction, Humor

200 pages, Hardcover

Published September 25, 2018

About the author

KEVIN SYLVESTER is an award winning illustrator, writer and broadcaster.

His new sci-fi series MiNRs is now out from Simon and Schuster. MINRs was named a 2017 Honour Red Maple and Manitoba Reader's Honour book and a 2015 CLA Honour Book. MINRs2 is out. MINRs3 will be released in 2018.

His series The Neil Flambé Capers is already a bestseller and critical success. Students across Ontario picked 'Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders' as the Silver Birch winner for fiction in 2011!

There are 6 books in the series so far, Neil Flambé and the Duel in the Desert is the latest.

Super-chef Gordon Ramsay calls the series “Good Fun”.

Kevin also does picture books - "Super-Duper Monster Viewer" is out from Groundwood. GREAT (with the Gretzky family) is out from Penguin.

Kevin’s first picture book 'Splinters' was published in fall 2010 by Tundra. It’s about a young girl who only wants to play hockey, but the mean coach and her daughters won’t let her. Can her fairy goaltender come to the rescue?

Kevin non-fiction titles include Follow Your Money, Baseballogy, Basketballogoy, Sports Hall of Weird and Gold Medal for Weird.

Kevin has been a broadcaster on national radio in Canada for years and years and has covered eight Olympic Games. He also produced documentaries on topics ranging from racism in hockey to the history of church bells in Canada.

He now splits his time between his attic studio in Toronto and the radio. He was named a Massey Journalism Scholar in 2007 and used the time to study theology at the University of Toronto.

Reviews

[Liander (The Towering Pile) Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am honestly baffled by the low rating on this book. It's one of my favourite of the MYRCA 2020 nominees I've read so far! Is it being reviewed by lots of adults who've forgotten how to laugh at booger humour??

[Munro's Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of a new multi-author, multi-book series about a bunch of kids with almost-epic super powers. This was a fun and very goofy read. The illustrations (I had a reading galley - can't wait to see the finished book) and quick pace will likely appeal to reluctant readers. While I have seen a fair number of spoofs on superheroes, I can safely say I've never seen snot used as a super power. So points for creativity!
-Kirsten

[Jacob · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggle to see any redeemable quality in this book. The characters are selfish, the plot nonsensical, and the writing abysmal. It may well be the biggest regret of my life that I subjected a group of grade 3 and 4 students to this story over the last few months. And, trust me, I haven't lived a regret-free life.

[Mrs. Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the odious overtures of green goo that comes from Miss (here's the kicker) Flem's nose. This story is a fun adventure that had me routing for her nose to run. There is a lot of action and less character development then I would have liked but it kept me reading.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite entertaining but it runs out of steam pretty quickly because Sylvester's laughs become almost too obvious. Despite what might be a flaw to an adult, this makes for a book that I suspect will delight children especially because its inventiveness is undeniable.

[Rachel Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book was well written and very good for the targeted audience. Although it was a bit jumbled up and I wish it was a longer read instead of a whole series. Overall I really think this book was good but I wished more from the author.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mucus Mayhem
Mucus Mayhem is shortlisted for the 2020 MYRCA Sundogs.

[K-Moss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is too ridiculous for my liking. The fact that it requires 3 epilogues, plus a note from the author to explain it reaffirms the fact that the storylines are confusing. As a Winnipegger I found the Winnipeg references fun. However, the ideas, and storylines are stretched a bit too far.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not my all-time favourite book. It was good, a little gross with an all-new super power that is hard to forget. I liked it because I have never seen anything like it. You should read this book if you like action that’s kind of weird... well.... a lot!

[Mike Broderick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this for my students book club.
It is silly, juvenile and much of it does not make sense. But grade 4 and 5 students would likely enjoy it.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok

[Madison]

i hated it

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated it #boring

[maven calore’s venice b!tch · Rating 5 out of 5]

i don’t actually think this book deserves five stars but i love this book and i hate the low score 😭

[Jordan Prairie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOSH. I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. IT WAS SO INTRIGUING AND IT'S SO RELATABLE. ABSOLUTELY 5+ STARS! A MUST- READ!!!!!!!!

[Angelo Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read this before, but forgot to leave a review. Pretty fun and overall humorous book - I'd for sure have adored this if I was back in the fifth grade!

[Amelia Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever heard of too gross? Well, if you haven't read this book you haven't even reached the tip of the ice borg. I mean burg! But this story is very well suited for, I'd say, Grade 3-6. A mixture of Ew and Awe is all you need to describe this book. So, you might as well meet Jess. I grumpy teen who only cares about video games, until her life changes. From Teen to Super Team, this book is great!!
~To anybody reading this, From: Amelia.

[RJA Lackenbauer · Rating 1 out of 5]

So... Hmmm... What? As is foretold by the name, this is a book that stoops as low to snot jokes for a little laugh. It did not work. I did not laugh at this book. Though I read the full book, only because it was in Silver Birch. In conclusion, this book had a bland story, humourless characters, and weak ploys for humour.