Speedah-Cheetah: A Branches Book

The Binder of Doom #3

by Troy Cummings

The Super Secret Monster Patrol goes up against a team of speedy monsters! 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!Alexander, Nikki, and Rip can't wait to build their race cars for the Stermont Derby! In fact, everyone in town is excited to enter the big race -- even a speedy, hungry monster! The Super Secret Monster Patrol follows skid marks, claw marks, and an awful rotten-egg smell to the monster's hiding place... But can they beat this monster to the finish line? New York Times bestselling author Troy Cummings keeps the action coming!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Chapter Books, Humor, Mystery, Juvenile

96 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Becky B]

The SSMP is excited about the upcoming Stermont Derby and some of them may be a little too focused on win or bust. But they also have a sneaky suspicion that there's a new monster in town. Something is swiping anything related to winning a competition. There are weird tire tracks, stinky rotten egg gunk, and screeching sounds appearing all over. Can the SSMP find the new monster and stop it before it ruins the derby?

There's an obvious turtle and the hare parallel in this story (fables are even brought up at one point). But there's an even deeper lesson for those who think anything less than 1st place is losing, or will value winning over friendships or other intangibles. I really liked the conclusion and what the winner did with the winnings. This monster isn't so much vanquished as just chased off and there's some foreshadowing that it may return in a future book. If you have a lower grade reader who is a little too competitive maybe they could benefit from reading this. Also a good pick for readers little sleuths, or those who think books are boring.

Notes on content: The monster is a little bit of a bully but gets too cocky. Nothing is really hurt except an old car.

[S]

I rec Branches books all the time because SO many kids just eat the up but I'll admit that I hadn't jumped into any particular series. On a whim, I started with book 3 of the Binder of Doom series and it was an Absolute DELIGHT. I'm not joking. Reads a little like a Pilkey with lots of asides. Diverse characters! The coolest librarian/maker teacher called Ms. Sprinkles. Really silly monsters that aren't scary at all and loads of fun STEM stuff. It was a fun read even for an adult and I don't often feel that way about early chapter series! Check it out!

[Vilma Diaz]

This was a good book. It also didn’t take long to read it. The art is cute and enhances the story. There’s also humor throughout. It was funny to me that the Speedah-Cheetah pulled a Swiper from Dora the Explorer. It’s interesting that these villains stick to such a strict code of honor.

All in all, it’s not a bad series. It’s not groundbreaking, I don’t think. But it’s funny and interesting enough to be entertaining, which is important, especially for reluctant readers.

[Cris]

The Super Secret Monster Patrol gets into a new race with a cheetah/race car. While at summer camp they notice that some items are being stolen. The SSMP find the home of the cheetah and he challenges them to the big race!

[Amanda Martin]

Only 3 stars from my 5 yo. He says he only kinda loved it 🤷‍♀️

[Liz]

Loved the teamwork with the shopping cart at the end to pull out the win!!

[Keeley]

I like how this book 📖 is so impressive and great 👍😃📔📖📚📓📒

[Shankar B.]

I liked when the speedah cheetah lost the race to Alexander, Rip and Nikki.

[Dani Derringer Zhang]

Fun read with my kid.

[Kc]

96 pages not 102

[Eleanor]

Another excellent book according to Sam

These books are fun and fast paced. My 8 yo nephew lovers them! He loves the noises and and silly monsters!

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken]

Eleonor says: I really loved this book 📖 My favorite part was when the cheetah left Stermont for ever.Nikki was first place 🥇