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Maggie and Nate Mysteries #1
The Mutant Mushroom Takeover
A debut about Maggie, an aspiring young naturalist, and her YouTuber best friend, Nate, who use their smarts and science to solve the mystery behind a mutant fungus that’s threatening the town.
Ever since Magnolia Stone’s scientist dad left Shady Pines to find a new job, Maggie’s been stuck in her gramma’s mobile home with her grumpy older brother, Ezra. Now she’s on a mission to put her family back together by winning the Vitaccino Junior Naturalist Merit Award.
When Maggie and her best friend, Nate, a wannabe YouTube star and alien conspiracy theorist, scout out a rare bioluminescent fungus, Maggie is certain she’s a shoo-in to win. But after animals around town start sprouting unusual growths and Ezra develops a bluish glow and hacking cough, Maggie wonders what they’ve really stumbled onto.
As things in Shady Pines become stranger and more dangerous, and conversations with her dad get complicated, Maggie must use her scientific smarts and Nate’s impressive knowledge of all things spooky to put things back in order and prevent these peculiar glowing mushrooms from taking over their home.
Ever since Magnolia Stone’s scientist dad left Shady Pines to find a new job, Maggie’s been stuck in her gramma’s mobile home with her grumpy older brother, Ezra. Now she’s on a mission to put her family back together by winning the Vitaccino Junior Naturalist Merit Award.
When Maggie and her best friend, Nate, a wannabe YouTube star and alien conspiracy theorist, scout out a rare bioluminescent fungus, Maggie is certain she’s a shoo-in to win. But after animals around town start sprouting unusual growths and Ezra develops a bluish glow and hacking cough, Maggie wonders what they’ve really stumbled onto.
As things in Shady Pines become stranger and more dangerous, and conversations with her dad get complicated, Maggie must use her scientific smarts and Nate’s impressive knowledge of all things spooky to put things back in order and prevent these peculiar glowing mushrooms from taking over their home.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
7 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Summer Rachel Short
3 books52 followersSummer lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and a Maine coon cat named Emme. Before spinning tales for young readers, she once worked as a science reporter for her university’s newspaper, where she wrote on topics like nanotech tweezers, poultry farm pollution, and the nighttime habits of spiders and snakes.
She enjoys exploring new places with the family, playing tennis, and dreaming up ideas for her next book.
Her debut novel, THE MUTANT MUSHROOM TAKEOVER released from Simon & Schuster in 2020. A sequel, ATTACK OF THE KILLER KOMODOS, followed on Sept. 14, 2021.
Summer's next middle grade novel, THE LEGEND OF GREYHALLOW, releases July 18, 2023 from Simon & Schuster.
She enjoys exploring new places with the family, playing tennis, and dreaming up ideas for her next book.
Her debut novel, THE MUTANT MUSHROOM TAKEOVER released from Simon & Schuster in 2020. A sequel, ATTACK OF THE KILLER KOMODOS, followed on Sept. 14, 2021.
Summer's next middle grade novel, THE LEGEND OF GREYHALLOW, releases July 18, 2023 from Simon & Schuster.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 28, 2021
"What is all this stuff?" Nate asks. The glimmer reflects off his eyes and makes them twinkle aquamarine.
I stretch out my hand to touch a luminous green patch carpeting the bone-white bark of a sycamore tree. "Definitely not security lights."
Magnolia Stone just wants to win the Junior Naturalist Merit Award so her dad can get his job back and return to their home in Shady Pines. So along with her intrepid neighbor, Nate, who is a budding YouTube conspiracy theorist (the harmless "Aliens and monsters are real" kind), they set out to investigate a rumor of ghost lights on a nearby farm. Along with her older brother and his friends, they find...well, you saw the title.
Soon all kinds of things in town are bioluminescent and acting strangely, including Magnolia's brother. And as in all children's adventure tales, the adults are kind of useless.
This was cute and is the hopeful start of a series. It's got Stranger Things vibes for sure, but it will be less intense for younger kids, although there are scenes that may scare some of them. It's also got a cool--if standard--heroine, a gross ending kids will probably love, and some science sprinkled throughout. Older readers are going to get to the end and likely still have some, "Wait, what now?" moments.
Speaking of science, as the appendix mentions these things are real:
The Stinkhorn Mushroom, from the aptly named genus Phallaceae (the author omitted that last bit of information)
This really is called Dog Vomit Slime Mold, although it's kind of pretty.
I stretch out my hand to touch a luminous green patch carpeting the bone-white bark of a sycamore tree. "Definitely not security lights."
Magnolia Stone just wants to win the Junior Naturalist Merit Award so her dad can get his job back and return to their home in Shady Pines. So along with her intrepid neighbor, Nate, who is a budding YouTube conspiracy theorist (the harmless "Aliens and monsters are real" kind), they set out to investigate a rumor of ghost lights on a nearby farm. Along with her older brother and his friends, they find...well, you saw the title.
Soon all kinds of things in town are bioluminescent and acting strangely, including Magnolia's brother. And as in all children's adventure tales, the adults are kind of useless.
This was cute and is the hopeful start of a series. It's got Stranger Things vibes for sure, but it will be less intense for younger kids, although there are scenes that may scare some of them. It's also got a cool--if standard--heroine, a gross ending kids will probably love, and some science sprinkled throughout. Older readers are going to get to the end and likely still have some, "Wait, what now?" moments.
Speaking of science, as the appendix mentions these things are real:
The Stinkhorn Mushroom, from the aptly named genus Phallaceae (the author omitted that last bit of information)
This really is called Dog Vomit Slime Mold, although it's kind of pretty.
November 18, 2020
The blurb states that if you're a fan of Stranger Things and Lightning Girl you'll enjoy this book. I agree but I also think fans of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Scooby Doo and Goosebumps will adore Maggie and Nate as much as I did.
Though written for middle grade bookworms, I devoured this in a day and a half. It was light, creepy, goofy-funny and nostalgic. Not to mention everything that I learned a long the way. Yes, I said learned. The scientific facts that grace these pages were so intriguing I was Googling as I read. Literally phone in hand and book in lap. I am honestly itching to type out some of the things I researched myself but that would give away the "discovery" by Maggie and I just can't do that.
Short has a beautifully smooth writing style perfect for all ages. She fleshed out the main characters and made these younger MCs lovable and quirky. Nate is the comedic relief out of the duo who reminds me of myself when I am scared; I crack jokes. Maggie is the brains, a little Velma solving life's scientific mysteries taking over her small town. I hope this kicks off a new series!
Thank you to Summer Rachel Short and Storygramtours/Storygramkids for the gifted final copy in exchange for an honest review.
PS: If you haven't noticed, that cover is so cover buy worthy.
Though written for middle grade bookworms, I devoured this in a day and a half. It was light, creepy, goofy-funny and nostalgic. Not to mention everything that I learned a long the way. Yes, I said learned. The scientific facts that grace these pages were so intriguing I was Googling as I read. Literally phone in hand and book in lap. I am honestly itching to type out some of the things I researched myself but that would give away the "discovery" by Maggie and I just can't do that.
Short has a beautifully smooth writing style perfect for all ages. She fleshed out the main characters and made these younger MCs lovable and quirky. Nate is the comedic relief out of the duo who reminds me of myself when I am scared; I crack jokes. Maggie is the brains, a little Velma solving life's scientific mysteries taking over her small town. I hope this kicks off a new series!
Thank you to Summer Rachel Short and Storygramtours/Storygramkids for the gifted final copy in exchange for an honest review.
PS: If you haven't noticed, that cover is so cover buy worthy.
March 26, 2021
This was creepier than I expected-& I LOVED every minute of it! This was amazing! Ever since Maggie’s scientist dad left Shady Pines to find a new job, she & her grumpy older brother Ezra have lived w/their Grandma in her mobile home. She’s on a mission to put her family back together by winning this big award. When she & her best friend Nate(a wannabe YouTube star & alien conspiracy theorist)scout out a rare bioluminescent fungus, she’s certain she can win. But after animals around town start sprouting unusual growths & Ezra develops a bluish glow & hacking cough, she wonders what she’s really uncovered. As things get stranger & more dangerous, & talks w/dad get more complicated, Maggie must use her science smarts & Nate’s all things spooky knowledge to put things right, & prevent those glowing mushrooms from taking over their lives. This may be fiction, but it’s full of facts(even in the authors note in back!), & I learned so much! The fungus in this is A REAL FUNGUS! That made it even creepier lol I love when I can learn something while reading a book I’m also loving. Maggie is an amazing character. I related to her as a younger sister to an older brother. Their relationship had me remembering those days lol Gramma & Nate have my heart. I LOVED the friendship b/n her & Nate. I love a good story heavily involving a solid friendship-& this was that & more. Their dialogue back & forth was perfect! Nate is the best! I laughed out loud so many times at the things he says. The spore king was so good! I love the name Nate gave him-very accurate! He was so creepy! Plus, the original villain that made the Spore King what he was..I might lay off my soda for a while..😆 The story builds & builds, & there’s so much excitement & danger, & before you know it you’ve read 200 pages w/o even realizing it! The ending was perfect! Such an amazing conclusion to the book. The sequel comes out September 14th I believe, & I can’t wait to see what adventure is in store for Maggie & Nate next! Highly recommend! Such a great creepy, mystery adventure! Beautiful cover by DKNG Studios too!💜
September 23, 2020
The Mutant Mushroom Takeover is a fun read full of all kinds of cool and gross science. The main character, Maggie, is a super smart, eleven-year-old science geek who uses her knowledge to save her brother and her town.
Any young science nerd is going to love this fast-paced story.
Any young science nerd is going to love this fast-paced story.
January 19, 2021
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I loved reading “The Mutant Mushroom Takeover” and thought it was a fantastic Middle-Grade mystery adventure! Think “Stranger Things” meets “X-Files” in a middle-grade genre, and this is your book!
Let me begin by saying that a book is always extra special when I learn something new from it. Even though the story is a mystery, I learned quite a lot of nature facts. For instance, Ophiocordyceps is an actual fungus! The story inspired me to research the various forms of bioluminescent fungi, and I found it fascinating.
Mags is perfect in the lead. She is a geeky, aspiring scientist and Naturalist. She is curious and passionate to learn new things and determined to win the award to fix her family. Also, she and Nate share a wonderful friendship. I loved Nate and thought he was hilarious with his dialogues. Even Gramma and Ezra add nicely to the story. Similarly, Albert and the Crofts make for devious villains. Honestly, Albert is probably one of the strangest characters I have read in the genre of late, and I wouldn’t mind reading his backstory in a future novel.
Moreover, the author also paced the story so well that it kept me glued to the pages. The storyline is just perfect and something that a reader of any age would enjoy. I knew I was in for a treat as soon as Old Man Bell meets the kids, and it just gets better from there. Some moments creeped me out even as an adult, like when Mac chases the duo or when Mags realizes that Nate might be in trouble. The story keeps building up to an exciting climax that ends satisfyingly.
Overall, I thought this book was excellent, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good, creepy, middle-grade mystery novel.
January 18, 2021
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect going into this book. The cover looks delightfully creepy, and a little ’90s sci-fi to me. I figured I’d enjoy it, but I wasn’t prepared to enjoy it as much as I did!
The Mutant Mushroom Takeover is a perfect blend of science, paranormal, and mystery. It’s just scary enough to get your heart racing, but not too scary for young readers.
I think the cover and title are a little misleading, since they make me think of classic horror movies like the big bug movies … except with mushrooms. That is not what this is at all! It’s science at its best, with a compelling mystery, adorable characters, funny banter, and more of a “something’s in the woods” type of a horror feel. And I loved it!
My Thoughts:
- I am just loving this trend of female protagonists who excel at STEM, and Maggie is no exception. I loved Maggie as a character. She gets her love for science from her father, who happens to be … wait for it … a scientist! And isn’t that often how it starts? Maggie’s love for science is still in that pure childhood phase where everything is just amazing and the world is full of wonders out there left to discover, and I think it will appeal to a range of readers, regardless of whether they’re science buffs or not. The best thing to me about Maggie’s love of science is the way it gets slipped into the story, in small, unassuming chunks that’ll leave the reader with something to take away and file for later. The best learning happens, in my opinion, when one doesn’t even realize they’re learning, and this book excels at that. Maggie’s full of interesting sciency facts that get slipped in, and in the end, the mystery is approached and solved using the scientific method, which I absolutely love!
- Take heed: there’s something in the woods! *makes spooky fingers at you* This is by far one of my favorite horror tropes, especially in middle grade. Maybe not the best for me to read, because I am a stone’s throw away from the woods in my backyard, but hey, what can I say? I like to live dangerously. And, you know, not sleep. What exactly is in the woods? Well, Maggie’s best friend Nate hopes for aliens … or maybe a cryptid? Instead, they find … science! What a bummer, right? But it’s not quite as simple as that, when Old Man Bell ends up collapsing and dying in front of them, but not before he gives the kiddos some pretty spine-chilling and ominous warnings. As far as creep levels go, I’d give this four mushrooms out of ten. It’s just spooky enough, without being too much for younger middle grade readers.
- Nate and Maggie make an interesting, and often hilarious, team! They may seem like unexpected friends at first blush, with Maggie firmly grounded in science and Nate more of a conspiracy/paranormal buff. Yet, it’s clear that they’ve been friends for a while and their friendship is solid. I absolutely loved the banter between these two characters! They’re just enough different that it leads to some fun situations. Not to mention that the way Nate sees the world is unique in its own right. Even when they were in the thick of things and the story was starting to get scary, Nate provided a lot of much-needed humor and levity at just the right times!
- The mystery in this is super fun and requires teamwork and science to save the day. Yay for friendship bonds! It’s always a nice thing to see. Of course, there’s also a hint of sibling bonds, too, as an added bonus. Nate and Maggie accidentally stumble into this mystery, but once it gets going, it really takes off. I was super curious to see how it would end, and it gripped me all the way through! I’ll admit that the ending was a little too easy, but that seems to be the case a lot in middle grade books. At least I can say that I didn’t see it coming! As I’ve said, I loved the way science and the scientific process are woven into the foundation of the mystery. The kids even get to use a microscope, which is pretty cool. How often do you see that come up in mystery?
Many thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect going into this book. The cover looks delightfully creepy, and a little ’90s sci-fi to me. I figured I’d enjoy it, but I wasn’t prepared to enjoy it as much as I did!
The Mutant Mushroom Takeover is a perfect blend of science, paranormal, and mystery. It’s just scary enough to get your heart racing, but not too scary for young readers.
I think the cover and title are a little misleading, since they make me think of classic horror movies like the big bug movies … except with mushrooms. That is not what this is at all! It’s science at its best, with a compelling mystery, adorable characters, funny banter, and more of a “something’s in the woods” type of a horror feel. And I loved it!
My Thoughts:
- I am just loving this trend of female protagonists who excel at STEM, and Maggie is no exception. I loved Maggie as a character. She gets her love for science from her father, who happens to be … wait for it … a scientist! And isn’t that often how it starts? Maggie’s love for science is still in that pure childhood phase where everything is just amazing and the world is full of wonders out there left to discover, and I think it will appeal to a range of readers, regardless of whether they’re science buffs or not. The best thing to me about Maggie’s love of science is the way it gets slipped into the story, in small, unassuming chunks that’ll leave the reader with something to take away and file for later. The best learning happens, in my opinion, when one doesn’t even realize they’re learning, and this book excels at that. Maggie’s full of interesting sciency facts that get slipped in, and in the end, the mystery is approached and solved using the scientific method, which I absolutely love!
- Take heed: there’s something in the woods! *makes spooky fingers at you* This is by far one of my favorite horror tropes, especially in middle grade. Maybe not the best for me to read, because I am a stone’s throw away from the woods in my backyard, but hey, what can I say? I like to live dangerously. And, you know, not sleep. What exactly is in the woods? Well, Maggie’s best friend Nate hopes for aliens … or maybe a cryptid? Instead, they find … science! What a bummer, right? But it’s not quite as simple as that, when Old Man Bell ends up collapsing and dying in front of them, but not before he gives the kiddos some pretty spine-chilling and ominous warnings. As far as creep levels go, I’d give this four mushrooms out of ten. It’s just spooky enough, without being too much for younger middle grade readers.
- Nate and Maggie make an interesting, and often hilarious, team! They may seem like unexpected friends at first blush, with Maggie firmly grounded in science and Nate more of a conspiracy/paranormal buff. Yet, it’s clear that they’ve been friends for a while and their friendship is solid. I absolutely loved the banter between these two characters! They’re just enough different that it leads to some fun situations. Not to mention that the way Nate sees the world is unique in its own right. Even when they were in the thick of things and the story was starting to get scary, Nate provided a lot of much-needed humor and levity at just the right times!
- The mystery in this is super fun and requires teamwork and science to save the day. Yay for friendship bonds! It’s always a nice thing to see. Of course, there’s also a hint of sibling bonds, too, as an added bonus. Nate and Maggie accidentally stumble into this mystery, but once it gets going, it really takes off. I was super curious to see how it would end, and it gripped me all the way through! I’ll admit that the ending was a little too easy, but that seems to be the case a lot in middle grade books. At least I can say that I didn’t see it coming! As I’ve said, I loved the way science and the scientific process are woven into the foundation of the mystery. The kids even get to use a microscope, which is pretty cool. How often do you see that come up in mystery?
October 12, 2020
Let me just start by saying what a fun read this was. One of the things I enjoyed most was the interaction between the main characters Maggie and Nate. Maggie is the pragmatic scientist always seeking evidence while Nate is the free spirit with dreams of YouTube stardom. They work together to solve the mystery of a strange fungus that's taking over their small Texas town, turning everyone into zombies along the way. I loved how the kids solve the mystery themselves without the help of adults (and usually despite adults trying to prevent them) and using science in a way that feels believable, fun, and satisfying.
March 15, 2022
Son review: It's a little creepy but has good mystery. (5 stars chosen by him.)
My review: It's the perfect kind of book to read to my son. (His reading level is high enough that he could read this completely to himself, but I read middle grade books to him before bed because he enjoys it.) I enjoyed it reading it and he enjoyed it being read to him (and even read ahead by himself during the day) and while reading we discussed what we think of different parts of the story.
My review: It's the perfect kind of book to read to my son. (His reading level is high enough that he could read this completely to himself, but I read middle grade books to him before bed because he enjoys it.) I enjoyed it reading it and he enjoyed it being read to him (and even read ahead by himself during the day) and while reading we discussed what we think of different parts of the story.
December 12, 2020
Hand this to kids who liked Bloom, The Fourteenth Goldfish, Chirp and Masterminds. Magnolia's naivety is sometimes exasperating, but is a great way to build suspense. Her sidekick, Nate is hilarious and kept me reading. Not as scary as Bloom, but it may creep out younger or non-horror loving readers. Best for horror/sci-fi fans grades 4+.
January 19, 2022
"The Mutant Mushroom Takeover" is a fun read that skillfully combines science, a solid grasp of the middle-school mindset (one of the protagonists dreams of being a YouTube star), and the very best elements of 1950s-style sci-fi movies. I'm looking forward to reading more of Maggie and Nate's adventures!
July 18, 2024
who put the horror tag on this? it's def just sci-fi lol
science fiction that isn't tech-focused or futuristic is pretty rare in the books that I've read. which is unfortunate, because as much as I love those, it was cool to read a book with a biology/natural science take instead. I do wish the mystery had been a bit deeper but solid read
science fiction that isn't tech-focused or futuristic is pretty rare in the books that I've read. which is unfortunate, because as much as I love those, it was cool to read a book with a biology/natural science take instead. I do wish the mystery had been a bit deeper but solid read
October 1, 2020
I had such a fun time writing this book! Of course, as the author I'm partial, but I hope readers get a kick out of my main characters––aspiring naturalist, Magnolia Stone, and her best friend, conspiracy theorist/wanna-be YouTube star, Nate Fulton, the mysterious happenings in Old Man Bell's woods, and all the spooky mushroom hijinks they bump into along the way.
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Merged review:
I had such a fun time writing this book! Of course, as the author I'm partial, but I hope readers get a kick out of my main characters––aspiring naturalist, Maggie Stone, and her best friend, conspiracy theorist/wanna-be YouTube star, Nate Fulton, the mysterious happenings in Old Man Bell's woods, and all the spooky mushroom hijinks they bump into along the way.
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Merged review:
I had such a fun time writing this book! Of course, as the author I'm partial, but I hope readers get a kick out of my main characters––aspiring naturalist, Maggie Stone, and her best friend, conspiracy theorist/wanna-be YouTube star, Nate Fulton, the mysterious happenings in Old Man Bell's woods, and all the spooky mushroom hijinks they bump into along the way.
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
October 21, 2021
Mags is hunting for a grand science specimen that will cinch her win of the Vitaccino Junior Naturalist Merit Award. This is step 1 in her grand plan of getting her dad's job back at Vitaccino so he doesn't have to work way far away in Yellowstone. Mags loves her Gran and all, but she desperately misses her father. So she's on the hunt for something spectacular with her best friend, Nate, who is also in search of some weird phenomenon for his crytpo/supernatural/conspiracy theory Youtube channel. When they hear about weird glowing mushrooms at Old Man Bell's, they decide this is worth risking getting caught trespassing for. But they stumble into more than they bargained. These mushrooms don't just glow, they are variations of a mushroom that makes zombies out of ants in the Amazon and they are starting to take over the town's plant, animal, and even human population. But they seem to be the only ones who notice, and who's going to listen to some kids talking about dangerous mushrooms?
I absolutely loved this. It was a tiny bit creepy, the cover is amazing and sure to draw a crowd, but most of all it's a nice science-based 'what if' scifi mystery for two smart but definitely in over their heads kids. The science nerd in me loved that the solution they come up with is totally plausible, and highlights a nifty little science tidbit for middle grade readers they might otherwise never learn for years. In a lot of ways it reminded me a lot of Fuzzy Mud by Sachar, and I'm shocked no one used that comparison in blurbs. If you know someone who liked one, they will quite likely enjoy the other. Mags and Nate are believable characters. They sound like tweens, and are by no means perfect, but they are really good friends to each other, and have interests that make them fun to follow around (and perfect for solving this mystery). I also liked Mags complicated relationship with her older brother that was on again off again, as is so often the case for siblings at those ages. Gran was pretty stellar too, so quirky, but definitely loving and a rock for these kids to lean on. Lastly, I appreciated the setting. Many kids live in trailer park communities, but they rarely make it into books unless the kid has an awful home life. Mags and Nate's families aren't perfect but they feel very believable and average, and it was nice to see that pretty "normal" families can live in trailer parks too. This was a slow creep, sneaky monster/psychology story, perfect for October reading (or anytime someone is in the mood for a sciency mystery). I can't wait to read book 2. This will be an easy sell for readers at my school.
Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content. There is one death from what appears to be a heart attack, and many others are threatened, but no bad injuries or anything on page.
I absolutely loved this. It was a tiny bit creepy, the cover is amazing and sure to draw a crowd, but most of all it's a nice science-based 'what if' scifi mystery for two smart but definitely in over their heads kids. The science nerd in me loved that the solution they come up with is totally plausible, and highlights a nifty little science tidbit for middle grade readers they might otherwise never learn for years. In a lot of ways it reminded me a lot of Fuzzy Mud by Sachar, and I'm shocked no one used that comparison in blurbs. If you know someone who liked one, they will quite likely enjoy the other. Mags and Nate are believable characters. They sound like tweens, and are by no means perfect, but they are really good friends to each other, and have interests that make them fun to follow around (and perfect for solving this mystery). I also liked Mags complicated relationship with her older brother that was on again off again, as is so often the case for siblings at those ages. Gran was pretty stellar too, so quirky, but definitely loving and a rock for these kids to lean on. Lastly, I appreciated the setting. Many kids live in trailer park communities, but they rarely make it into books unless the kid has an awful home life. Mags and Nate's families aren't perfect but they feel very believable and average, and it was nice to see that pretty "normal" families can live in trailer parks too. This was a slow creep, sneaky monster/psychology story, perfect for October reading (or anytime someone is in the mood for a sciency mystery). I can't wait to read book 2. This will be an easy sell for readers at my school.
Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content. There is one death from what appears to be a heart attack, and many others are threatened, but no bad injuries or anything on page.
October 18, 2021
We've only ever read one other book that features the fungus villain in this book, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, often referred to as a "zombie fungus." So we were thrilled when another middle grade author used it as a horror device!
Maggie and friend Nate are on separate quests to document the amazing -- Maggie the natural amazing, to win a local photography award that will give her a chance to argue for her father's job back, and Nate the alien amazing, to document for his aliens-among-us conspiracy blog.
With her older brother Ezra, they trespass onto Old Man Bell's property, where they find a portion of the forest has become bioluminescent. The old man staggers out, and Ezra tries to help him. He coughs blue puffs of stuff, almost like spores, onto Ezra who breathes them in.
The old man dies, and his dogs die, and it's not long before Ezra develops a hacking cough. He goes to work for the Crofts, a family that makes a wildly popular health drink from the fungus, and the same place where Maggie and Ezra's father used to work.
Soon Nate's infected as well, and no one in authority will believe the kids about the threat. The fungus has plans to take over first Shady Pines, later the world.
Maggie and Nate...ah, I won't spoil the mystery! Read for yourself to see how they outwit the man most infected with the fungus and his plans for world domination.
Enjoy this creepy read this October!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Maggie and friend Nate are on separate quests to document the amazing -- Maggie the natural amazing, to win a local photography award that will give her a chance to argue for her father's job back, and Nate the alien amazing, to document for his aliens-among-us conspiracy blog.
With her older brother Ezra, they trespass onto Old Man Bell's property, where they find a portion of the forest has become bioluminescent. The old man staggers out, and Ezra tries to help him. He coughs blue puffs of stuff, almost like spores, onto Ezra who breathes them in.
The old man dies, and his dogs die, and it's not long before Ezra develops a hacking cough. He goes to work for the Crofts, a family that makes a wildly popular health drink from the fungus, and the same place where Maggie and Ezra's father used to work.
Soon Nate's infected as well, and no one in authority will believe the kids about the threat. The fungus has plans to take over first Shady Pines, later the world.
Maggie and Nate...ah, I won't spoil the mystery! Read for yourself to see how they outwit the man most infected with the fungus and his plans for world domination.
Enjoy this creepy read this October!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
October 24, 2020
The Mutant Mushroom Takeover by Summer Rachel Short(@summerrachelwrites) is a perfect and chilling read for this Halloween. ⠀
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Maggie is an aspiring young naturalist who lives in Shady Pines with her grandmother and elder brother, Ezra. Maggie’s best friend is Nate, who is a wannabe YouTube Star and alien conspiracy theorist. Maggie’s dream is to win the Vitaccino Junior Naturalist Award. Nate has an idea that can make Maggie the winner. ⠀
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Nate and Maggie go to scary old man Bell’s land and discover bioluminescent fungus. Due to an unfortunate incident, Maggie’s brother, who also joined them inhales spores. Now, his brother is having a cough. Maggie also finds animals sprouting unusual growths and displaying herd behavior. Are all these related? As things get worse in Shady Pines, it is up to Maggie to make their town safe. ⠀
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I loved the dynamic between Maggie and Nate, scientific Maggie, and weird and unrealistic Nate. The town name of Shady Pines is an apt word for all the happenings in the town. The book also goes in-depth about mushrooms, spiders, and other critters. We see the world through the meticulous eyes of Maggie. This book takes weird facts in Science and molds it into an interesting and mysterious novel. ⠀
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Maggie is an aspiring young naturalist who lives in Shady Pines with her grandmother and elder brother, Ezra. Maggie’s best friend is Nate, who is a wannabe YouTube Star and alien conspiracy theorist. Maggie’s dream is to win the Vitaccino Junior Naturalist Award. Nate has an idea that can make Maggie the winner. ⠀
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Nate and Maggie go to scary old man Bell’s land and discover bioluminescent fungus. Due to an unfortunate incident, Maggie’s brother, who also joined them inhales spores. Now, his brother is having a cough. Maggie also finds animals sprouting unusual growths and displaying herd behavior. Are all these related? As things get worse in Shady Pines, it is up to Maggie to make their town safe. ⠀
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I loved the dynamic between Maggie and Nate, scientific Maggie, and weird and unrealistic Nate. The town name of Shady Pines is an apt word for all the happenings in the town. The book also goes in-depth about mushrooms, spiders, and other critters. We see the world through the meticulous eyes of Maggie. This book takes weird facts in Science and molds it into an interesting and mysterious novel. ⠀
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January 6, 2021
A fantastic fun read that won’t let you put it down. Great book for middle graders who like nature-y and science-y stories. When I first picked this up I thought it might be a bit on the silly side just based on the playful title. Like I expected giant walking mushrooms or something completely unrealistic. Bad assumption. This story is rooted in real nature and science. The glowing spores that infect the townspeople are based off real-life fungus from the Amazon rain forest. The way Maggie approaches the problem is thoroughly scientific and the tension in the book keeps the pages turning fast. The story puts Maggie and Nate in a real pickle where you think they are completely doomed. There’s no chance they can win . . . until they do. I can’t recommend this story enough. If you have kids that need a fast paced, edge of your seat book to stay engaged, then this will do it. As a bonus, the writing style is very witty and the interaction between Maggie and Nate will just crack you up. Can’t wait to see more from this author.
October 7, 2021
The Mutant Mushroom Takeover is a middle grade mystery with a STEM focus and horror elements. The main character, Maggie, reminds me of Dana Scully because of her strong belief in science and her skepticism. Maggie’s best friend, Nate, reminds me of Fox Mulder because of his willingness to belief in things that fall outside of proven science. It looks like ever since I finished watching the X-Files series, I can’t help but make comparisons to it.
The plot involves some deeply personal stakes for Maggie, as well as the implications of a potential fungal contagion that is spreading rapidly and the corrupt leadership of a corporation that virtually controls every facet of life in the small town where Maggie and Nate live. At first glance, the horror elements of the story are subtle, but become more alarming with more consideration.
I gave The Mutant Mushroom Takeover five stars on Goodreads. I recommend it for all young readers, and for older readers who enjoy children’s books. A sequel has just recently been published, and I will be reviewing it here soon.
The plot involves some deeply personal stakes for Maggie, as well as the implications of a potential fungal contagion that is spreading rapidly and the corrupt leadership of a corporation that virtually controls every facet of life in the small town where Maggie and Nate live. At first glance, the horror elements of the story are subtle, but become more alarming with more consideration.
I gave The Mutant Mushroom Takeover five stars on Goodreads. I recommend it for all young readers, and for older readers who enjoy children’s books. A sequel has just recently been published, and I will be reviewing it here soon.
December 10, 2020
[I received a print copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
This was a great book that kids are going to love, but I personally didn't care for it. I expected more science fiction - which it does very well - and less zombie/horror pieces. I don't like horror stories. And while this is perfectly appropriate for middle grade readers, it has some horror features to it that aren't a good fit for me as a reader.
This would be an awesome cross-discipline book in the classroom - reading, writing, science. There are solid examples of scientific method, biology, and ecology. The characters here are great, and I think kids will enjoy watching them deal with the issues at play in this book. I think my students would have kept this book in constant rotation back when I was teaching. Hand this to Goosebumps fans, zombie fans, and readers who enjoy their stories with a side of science and a fear factor.
This was a great book that kids are going to love, but I personally didn't care for it. I expected more science fiction - which it does very well - and less zombie/horror pieces. I don't like horror stories. And while this is perfectly appropriate for middle grade readers, it has some horror features to it that aren't a good fit for me as a reader.
This would be an awesome cross-discipline book in the classroom - reading, writing, science. There are solid examples of scientific method, biology, and ecology. The characters here are great, and I think kids will enjoy watching them deal with the issues at play in this book. I think my students would have kept this book in constant rotation back when I was teaching. Hand this to Goosebumps fans, zombie fans, and readers who enjoy their stories with a side of science and a fear factor.
September 15, 2021
THE MUTANT MUSHROOM TAKEOVER had been in by tbr pile for months, and I'm glad I finally opened it! It's a fast-paced, middle grade book filled with science, mystery, family, and friendship. I liked how author Summer Rachel Short grounds the fantasy with reality by giving the reader real facts about fungi, bioluminescence, hive mind, and bacteria while creating an exciting story.
I loved the characters of Maggie and Nate, as well as Maggie's older brother Ezra. Nate in particular made me smile, he's so much fun and I thought the balance and friendship between Maggie and Nate was excellent, their friendship genuine and sweet.
Overall, THE MUTANT MUSHROOM TAKEOVER is a fun read and definitely one I'd suggest to readers of middle grade fiction. It'd be a great classroom book, ideal to start conversations about science-related facts.
I loved the characters of Maggie and Nate, as well as Maggie's older brother Ezra. Nate in particular made me smile, he's so much fun and I thought the balance and friendship between Maggie and Nate was excellent, their friendship genuine and sweet.
Overall, THE MUTANT MUSHROOM TAKEOVER is a fun read and definitely one I'd suggest to readers of middle grade fiction. It'd be a great classroom book, ideal to start conversations about science-related facts.
October 20, 2020
This speculative story follows science-loving Maggie and her alien conspiracist friend Nate as they uncover a dangerous bioluminescent fungus situation in the woods by their small town, which is making people act strange. When a place called "Old Man Bell's woods" is involved, you know it's going to be fun. Or scary. Or both!
The writing is fresh and funny and feels realistic for the characters' ages. Nate is hilarious even when he doesn't intend to be, and Maggie is there to help him stay grounded while the world around them goes bonkers. There are also heart-tugging moments, when Maggie thinks about missing her dad who's working in another state.
This is a fantastic adventure filled with vivid descriptions, humor, and moments of spookiness! (*Not horror*)
The writing is fresh and funny and feels realistic for the characters' ages. Nate is hilarious even when he doesn't intend to be, and Maggie is there to help him stay grounded while the world around them goes bonkers. There are also heart-tugging moments, when Maggie thinks about missing her dad who's working in another state.
This is a fantastic adventure filled with vivid descriptions, humor, and moments of spookiness! (*Not horror*)
August 30, 2020
The Mutant Mushroom Takeover is such a FUN book. I love that the MC is a tenacious girl with a passion for nature and science! It's a great read to encourage kids in STEM. It's also slightly creepy, but not too much, so it would be perfect for kids who want to read an atmospheric fall book with some spooky vibes without it being over-the-top terrifying for them. This fascinating story kept me turning the pages late into the night, and I enjoyed every minute. I've already pre-ordered a finished copy, and I can't wait for my ten-year-old to read it, too!
Thanks Summer, and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the free ARC to review.
Thanks Summer, and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the free ARC to review.
April 17, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for sharing an ARC with #collabookation in exchange for an honest review
This book has been on my to-be-read stack for about three months. I just could not pick it up for some reason, however when I started reading, I COULD NOT put this down! This was the perfect mix of sci-fi and creepy. I felt like I knew Maggie and Nate and it had a pretty interesting story that kept me hooked the whole way through.
Perfect for middle grade kiddos who love sci-fi - I will definitely be adding this to our classroom library!
This book has been on my to-be-read stack for about three months. I just could not pick it up for some reason, however when I started reading, I COULD NOT put this down! This was the perfect mix of sci-fi and creepy. I felt like I knew Maggie and Nate and it had a pretty interesting story that kept me hooked the whole way through.
Perfect for middle grade kiddos who love sci-fi - I will definitely be adding this to our classroom library!
February 28, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed, mystery-filled sci-fi romp through a small town taken over by bewildering, glowing mutant fungi! I loved the relationship between main characters Maggie and Nate, the storyline packed with plenty of tension, and the wealth of real science facts woven through the entire book. I'm passing it along to my 10-year-old son, who's sure to love it. I can't wait to see what adventures Maggie and Nate go on next. 🍄💚
November 5, 2020
This is such a cool, fun, MG sci-fi! I think kids drawn to the scientific or the strange will especially love this story about friendship, family, and the threat of mutant zombie-making mushrooms growing a bit too close to town. Super creative with just a touch of creepy, I can't wait to see what adventure Maggie and Nate go on next!
June 21, 2021
This book way exceeded my expectations!! It was really good! It was a lot creepier than I thought it’d be which was amazing. It was just written very well and kept you hooked throughout the book as I read this in about 3 or 4 days with a pretty busy schedule on my hands:) Absolutely loved this and am excited for book 2!
October 4, 2022
What a grate middle grade book!
I really enjoyed reading Maggie 's andventure and Nate's crazy theories. At first, the book is a bit slow but after the fungus invation really starts is absolutely creepy and fun. I hope there will be more adventures by those two to read in the future. ❤️
I really enjoyed reading Maggie 's andventure and Nate's crazy theories. At first, the book is a bit slow but after the fungus invation really starts is absolutely creepy and fun. I hope there will be more adventures by those two to read in the future. ❤️
May 10, 2023
Read with 7yo. We both enjoyed it and we’d often keep reading past bedtime because we couldn’t wait to learn what would happen next. Suspenseful and a little creepy, but not scary. Lots of cool science. Maggie and Nate’s friendship is funny and warm. Great book.
April 17, 2020
This is an awesome book for kids. I love her work.
August 24, 2020
Ready for a mystery with science coolness? Crazy happenings begin after a bioluminescent fungus is found! You won’t be able to put this book down until you get answers!
October 7, 2020
I loved reading this book! It's a captivating page-turner for kids and adults!
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