Crash! Bang! Boo!

Junior Monster Scouts #2

by Joe McGee, Ethan Long (Illustrations)

The Junior Monster Scouts celebrate The Village’s 150th birthday in the hilarious second chapter book of the Junior Monster Scouts series!

It’s The Village’s 150th birthday celebration! And that means bright lights, popcorn machines, a marching band, and a musical merry-go-round. But not if Baron Von Grump can help it! If he shuts off The Village’s electricity, there won’t be any noise or merriment.

Meanwhile, in Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, Igor Jr. was specifically told not to touch anything, especially “that lever.” But Igor Jr. didn’t listen, and now the lab is a clunking, clanking, crackling mess of gears, electricity, and lightning. Can Vamprya, Franky, and Wolfy—the Junior Monster Scouts—fix Igor’s mess and save The Village party? Or has the Baron ruined the fun for everyone?

112 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this follow-up to The Monster Squad, the three members of the Junior Monster Scouts, Wolfy, Franky, and Vamprya must help their friend Young Igor clean up the mess he makes in his grandfather's lab. In addition, when the village's electricity goes out, ruining the village's 150th birthday celebration, the Scouts must find a way to save the day. Once again, McGee has written an engaging, adorable story about friendship, kindness, and loyalty saving the day. Young readers who enjoy scouting or monsters or both are bound to find kindred spirits in this book.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first JUNIOR MONSTER SCOUTS book. In this one, Igor Junior pulls something he shouldn't have and his friends come help him fix his mistake. Meanwhile, Baron Von Grump is determined to sabotage the town's 150th birthday celebration. I love the way McGee talks to the reader. There are frequent lines like "I'm pretty sure you know who was behind it. But the villagers? They did not" or "Okay, hold on. You and I know that is probably not true" that treat the reader like an insider who gets the joke or has knowledge others do not. McGee also does a great job of keeping you turning the page which I think is so key for this age group where they are learning to read and often struggling through pages of text. Nothing improves reading like practice and nothing encourages practice like NEEDING to know what happened and humor. This has both I also love how the Junior Monster Scouts demonstrate bravery despite fear and excellent problem solving skills. Really I love a lot. This is a great book and a great series for new readers.

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Cute! Nice character pieces (loyalty, integrity, etc.). Not the least bit scary.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This book was okay. Pretty similar to the first book, different merit badges. I won't be getting the rest of this series....unless demands are made.

[Simplekind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute. My 6 year old seemed to enjoy it.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story. Very amusing and with lots of good junior monster scout lessons.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie is looking forward to entering his monster robot into the town's competition. Unfortunately, it may be impossible when Igor, the son of the doctor's assistant, touches the one lever he was told not to touch. The Monster Squad has to help him fix his mess. Meanwhile, in town, our villain, Baron Von Grump, does not want the competition to go on because it is so noisy so he plots his chicanery. But the Monster Squad once again can help the town.

I love this series. The illustrations are great. The story is so much fun. Naturally the kids get caught but since they were able to help they do not get much punishment. I look forward to book 3.