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Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker #1
The Night Door
In this hilarious graphic novel, Edison Beaker is about to find out what services the family business, Creature Seekers Pest Control, really offer. (Hint: forget about rat and roach removal . . . think monster hunting!)
Edison Beaker and his young sister Tesla are staying with their uncle Earl, manager of the family pest control company, when an alarm sounds and he has no choice but to drag them along on a service call.
They should have listened when he warned them, "stay in the van."
Monster-sized mayhem ensues when the kids chase their escaped hamster into a mysterious warehouse--and suddenly they are the ones being chased as all sorts of creepy creatures scurry, slink, and stomp through a secret Night Door.
The first of two new middle-school graphic novels that introduce a funny, smart, likable, reluctant hero and his wisecracking younger sister whose adventures are sure to appeal to readers of Lunch Lady, Hilo, and Caveboy Dave.
Edison Beaker and his young sister Tesla are staying with their uncle Earl, manager of the family pest control company, when an alarm sounds and he has no choice but to drag them along on a service call.
They should have listened when he warned them, "stay in the van."
Monster-sized mayhem ensues when the kids chase their escaped hamster into a mysterious warehouse--and suddenly they are the ones being chased as all sorts of creepy creatures scurry, slink, and stomp through a secret Night Door.
The first of two new middle-school graphic novels that introduce a funny, smart, likable, reluctant hero and his wisecracking younger sister whose adventures are sure to appeal to readers of Lunch Lady, Hilo, and Caveboy Dave.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2018
3 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Frank Cammuso
43 books78 followersFrank Cammuso is the author/illustrator of the graphic novel series The Misadventures of Salem Hyde from Amulet Books. He also created the graphic novel series Knights of the Lunch Table from Graphix/Scholastic. Frank drew the comic Otto’s Orange Day and Otto’s Backwards Day for Toon-Books. He also wrote and drew his self-published graphic novel Max Hamm Fairy Tale Detective, for which he received an Eisner nomination.
Frank is the former award-winning political cartoonist for The Post-Standard newspaper in Syracuse, NY. His cartoons have been reprinted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and Newsweek.
He has written fiction and satire with his good friend Hart Seely. Their work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Village Voice, Slate, and on National Public Radio. He’s the co-author of 2007-Eleven and Other American Comedies.
Cammuso currently teaches Sequential Illustration part-time at his alma mater, Syracuse University. He lives with his family in frosty Syracuse, NY, where they enjoy all things comics!
Frank is the former award-winning political cartoonist for The Post-Standard newspaper in Syracuse, NY. His cartoons have been reprinted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and Newsweek.
He has written fiction and satire with his good friend Hart Seely. Their work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Village Voice, Slate, and on National Public Radio. He’s the co-author of 2007-Eleven and Other American Comedies.
Cammuso currently teaches Sequential Illustration part-time at his alma mater, Syracuse University. He lives with his family in frosty Syracuse, NY, where they enjoy all things comics!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 13, 2019
An adventurous and fun book about Edison (yes, really) who discovers that there are monsters out and about and that his family is one to stop them and guard the door. It was quite a fun premise and I had fun reading it, and fun only got more when the annoying sister Tesla (yes, really) got kidnapped and out of the picture. I swear, if that kid had been around the whole book I would have dropped it. She is so annoying. :|
The adventure Edison has and the world we see when he goes on an adventure were just wonderful, I would love to see more of this world and of course I want to know more about the door, about Knox, and the monsters that live in the Underwear, um Underwhere. ;P And of course, I want to know more about the family business.
I loved that this one was a graphic novel! I hadn't expected that and it was a very delightful surprise.
May write a longer review some time next week!
The adventure Edison has and the world we see when he goes on an adventure were just wonderful, I would love to see more of this world and of course I want to know more about the door, about Knox, and the monsters that live in the Underwear, um Underwhere. ;P And of course, I want to know more about the family business.
I loved that this one was a graphic novel! I hadn't expected that and it was a very delightful surprise.
May write a longer review some time next week!
January 23, 2019
An entertaining new graphic novel for young readers. I read it to my son (who is almost 7 and still learning to read), but I think he could do it on his own by next year. He loved the story, and the bright, colorful pictures definitely drew him in. As soon as we finished, he asked if we could get the next one. Unfortunately it hasn't come out yet :)
Recommend for fans of Hilo and The Bad Guys series.
Recommend for fans of Hilo and The Bad Guys series.
April 20, 2019
By no means bad, but the story felt cliche. In the words of a Youtuber I like, "just because it's cliche doesn't mean it's not good, and just because it's good doesn't mean it's not cliche."
I loved the illustrations. They're cartoony and expressive and circular, and I like the color choices too. However, that's where it ends for me. I just had nothing to be excited about, BUT for kids who have never seen these tropes before should enjoy the journey.
I'll read the next book to see where things are going. Hopefully, since the plot-building is out of the way, things can get interesting!
SN: I love the inventor names for the kids, Tesla (Tess) and Edison. Super cute.
2.5 stars
2 for enjoyment
1.5 for the artwork!
I loved the illustrations. They're cartoony and expressive and circular, and I like the color choices too. However, that's where it ends for me. I just had nothing to be excited about, BUT for kids who have never seen these tropes before should enjoy the journey.
I'll read the next book to see where things are going. Hopefully, since the plot-building is out of the way, things can get interesting!
SN: I love the inventor names for the kids, Tesla (Tess) and Edison. Super cute.
2.5 stars
2 for enjoyment
1.5 for the artwork!
May 30, 2018
While not a fan of graphic novels myself, my 4th and 5th grade library patrons of all reading abilities can’t seem to get enough of them. And with its monsters and kid hero on a quest, Edison Beaker will certainly appeal to many fans of the genre. The artwork is simple, but effective, as is the storyline of a young boy who has a knack for finding his sister’s frequently lost hamster and must now put those skills to the test after their uncle disappears behind a door to a dark world of creepy creatures. This newest Frank Cammuso work will fit in nicely alongside his Salem Hyde books already on the shelves of both my libraries, but I do not see it circulating well with more advanced readers looking for more plot complexity even in their graphic novel choices. Thanks for the dARC, Edelweiss.
June 13, 2019
Just enough chills to make this creepy graphic novel very fun to read! A few spots that had weak transitions that left me wondering if I skipped a page, but a fun story line that will appeal to many young readers.
February 25, 2019
Edison Beaker Creature Seeker: The Night Door by Frank Cammuso, 159 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Viking, 2018. $16.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Edison’s mom is out of town and his uncle is in charge of watching him, his little sister, and their pet hamster. When an emergency call comes in, Edison’s uncle takes them along on what appeared to be a pest control run, but turned out to be a journey to the “Underwhere”. They must seal the entry to the “Underwhere” so no creatures can escape to earth.
I laughed out loud several times during this book and enjoyed that the humor was playful without being crass. I loved that the key tool of the creature seeking trade was simply a flashlight to get rid of the dark. The illustrations are easy to follow and the storyline fun.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Edison’s mom is out of town and his uncle is in charge of watching him, his little sister, and their pet hamster. When an emergency call comes in, Edison’s uncle takes them along on what appeared to be a pest control run, but turned out to be a journey to the “Underwhere”. They must seal the entry to the “Underwhere” so no creatures can escape to earth.
I laughed out loud several times during this book and enjoyed that the humor was playful without being crass. I loved that the key tool of the creature seeking trade was simply a flashlight to get rid of the dark. The illustrations are easy to follow and the storyline fun.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
January 19, 2024
Light, funny but still suspenseful.
Edison Beaker's dad gave him a flashlight and disappeared. Years later, Mom leaves Edison and his sister Tesla (Tess) in uncle Earl's care, to go take care of Great Grandma Beaker. Just what IS the family business?? "Pest control" aka creature seekers. Uncle tells tale of the "Night Door" caused by an earthquake, that sometimes opens, releasing dark creatures. Uncle Earl gets a service call: The keystone has fallen out of the Night Door, and the myth says that if it's not back by morning, the door will stay open forever. Stuff (Van, Uncle Earl, keystone) goes into the Darkness and have to be rescued.
Sister always causing more trouble, Scuttlebutt the hamster in his ball, and jokes about "The Underwhere, snarky (but still creepy) villains...
It'a always in the basement. and flashlights are magical.
Sequel--will Edison rescue his dad??
Edison Beaker's dad gave him a flashlight and disappeared. Years later, Mom leaves Edison and his sister Tesla (Tess) in uncle Earl's care, to go take care of Great Grandma Beaker. Just what IS the family business?? "Pest control" aka creature seekers. Uncle tells tale of the "Night Door" caused by an earthquake, that sometimes opens, releasing dark creatures. Uncle Earl gets a service call: The keystone has fallen out of the Night Door, and the myth says that if it's not back by morning, the door will stay open forever. Stuff (Van, Uncle Earl, keystone) goes into the Darkness and have to be rescued.
Sister always causing more trouble, Scuttlebutt the hamster in his ball, and jokes about "The Underwhere, snarky (but still creepy) villains...
It'a always in the basement. and flashlights are magical.
Sequel--will Edison rescue his dad??
January 17, 2019
FANTASTIC! Cammuso's story tells the tale of Edison and his little sister Tesla's first adventure as a creature seeker. When their mother has to go away for a few days, Uncle Earl agrees to watch them. At first Edison is not thrilled to be staying with his pest controlling Uncle, but they aren't ants and termites Uncle Earl rounds up. When they get trapped in the Underwhere, Edison must face his fears and with a little help from a new friend, must retrieve the keystone and close the door to the Underwhere. Filled with a quick moving story and great graphics, this graphic novel leaves the reader wanting more. I can't wait for the next installment!
October 28, 2018
3.5 stars.
This is my rating, but I do know my students would all give 5 stars. I found myself truly enjoying the spooky and quirky mixed in. Written for kids, they will LOVE that it's called Underwhere. Since it is the first in the series, I am hoping a few of the plot lines build on/come to a close as they carry on Edison and Tesla's characters. Graphic novels are super powerful in classrooms, and this will definitely be a series I will have available!
This is my rating, but I do know my students would all give 5 stars. I found myself truly enjoying the spooky and quirky mixed in. Written for kids, they will LOVE that it's called Underwhere. Since it is the first in the series, I am hoping a few of the plot lines build on/come to a close as they carry on Edison and Tesla's characters. Graphic novels are super powerful in classrooms, and this will definitely be a series I will have available!
February 25, 2019
Edison is not interested in the family bug business until he discovers that it's not what it seems. Edison, his sister, her pet hamster Scuttlebutt, and their creature seeker uncle find themselves in Underwhere. This is a monstrous place they try to escape while finding the Keystone to keep the Night Door closed forever. With engaging graphics and almost frightening monsters, kids will enjoy this quick, uncomplicated graphic novel for beginner readers.
June 15, 2022
A delightful book that my son, who loves Luigi's Mansion, picked out. It's about a kid who journeys into "the Underwhere" (Both my kids laughed at that one) to save his sister, and possibly find his father, who has been missing for years. A fun book that we really enjoyed together. I'll definitely be picking up Book 2.
June 21, 2019
Has strong reader 7 to 10 year old boy all over this. Potty humor, funny monsters, great hero and his sister! Girls will enjoy if into off beat humor. And don't go into the Underwhere without your torch, I mean flashlight, and don't miss this series
May 21, 2020
This one fits a little oddly. It seems like the plot and writing are a little young for the length. I'm wondering if it'd be good for reluctant readers. All the underwear jokes do make it seem like a good choice for captain underpants fans or the younger end of Hilo fans!
October 30, 2021
A decent graphic novel that had my son and I giggling from time to time, but it wasn't a stand-out story. I do think it's perfect for kids who like monsters and/or to be especially appreciated around Halloween. The illustrations were fantastic despite the just ok storyline.
September 21, 2018
This was a super fun middle grade graphic novel. Just scary enough with lots of funny moments and an interesting plot. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.
October 12, 2018
Monsters, action, suspense, and humor. A fun package.
December 1, 2018
Cute, fast paced kids' graphic novel. A fun adventure setting up a creepy realm of monsters. Now I want to read more of these stories. :-)
December 17, 2018
Fun adventure graphic novel. Fantasy horror but enough underwear jokes to keep it from getting creepy. Recommended for ages 7-11.
March 17, 2019
I like the adventure of it but I have a hard time fitting Frank Camusso’s style to fantasy. Very short and easy read.
April 8, 2019
Good GN for adventure seekers. BOB possibilities
April 20, 2019
Will probably buy, since my kids love Hilo and Dream Jumper, and this is kind of similar.
April 26, 2019
it's just like all the other common books, their uncle kinda gets captured by a creature and they try to save him.
May 16, 2019
Very cute. I think my students will enjoy this series
May 24, 2019
Cute, fast paced fantasy quest adventure.
May 27, 2019
Cute but predictable.
June 14, 2020
Excellent book for young readers
June 19, 2021
Using for a graphic novel book club for kids in grades 3-5. I have a lot of 3rd graders. Think this book will work well with this group. I'm interested in reading book 2 next.
July 6, 2021
Good adventure book that kept me wanting more while still reading it and can't wait to read the next one. The little sister is the sooo annoying though haha!
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November 17, 2021ooooOOOOoooo, a little creepy/magical and intriguing with a side of humor and a dash of mythological references--just EXACTLY my kind of thing. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
January 5, 2022
Cute story. Good for younger readers (grades 3-5) who like graphic novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews