Grumplets and Pests

Zoey and Sassafras #7

by Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator)

In the seventh book, Zoey and Sassafras are excited to enjoy their summer with their magical friends. But . . . why is everyone so grumpy? A bunch of bad days one after the other lead Zoey to suspect that something more is afoot. It's up to Zoey and Sassafras to solve the mystery before they end up with one bummer of a summer!

Each story in the Zoey and Sassafras series features a new magical animal with a problem that must be solved using science. There isn't a set formula for each book; Zoey sometimes needs to run experiments, while other times she needs to investigate a mystery, and yet other times she needs to do research. Zoey models how to keep a science journal through her handwritten entries in each story. Each story is complete with a glossary of the kid-friendly definitions for scientific terms used. The series highlights child-led inquiry science and the topics covered align with both Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Kids

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2019

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My children and I love the Zoey and Sassafras series. I have given the others we've read five glowing stars. This one fell just a little short for me because the premise is just a bit too far fetched. I know we are talking about magical creatures here but even so the science is usually pretty sound in the other books with very clear connections to real life. In this case, it just seemed a bit much that there would be magical creatures (grumplets) eating the happiness of other magical creatures (spinning out like candy floss out of their brains). This is also a pretty scary/creepy premise, if you think about it. My four-year-old was pretty uncomfortable with it, despite the fact the grumplets look really cute. On the plus side, the characters here are still wonderful. I appreciate the look into garden pests and how to control them without using harmful pesticides. The idea of using a "trap plant" to divert garden pests from your vegetables and fruits does play out with the grumplets although I just am not sure I buy that the grumplets are fine with eating berries instead of joy simply because they are both sweet.

[Kiersten Naberhaus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just meh. It leans more towards magical fluff than science because the focus is supposed to be on her solving a mystery. The earliest few books in the series are much better if the science content is what you’re looking for.

Zoey also has to work very hard in this one to hide her secret from her dad and her mom encourages the secret, which is a big red flag for me. So we are done with this series.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading this series with my girls. A fun mix of fantasy and science, with a bright female protagonist and her spunky kitty sidekick.

[Marika Gillis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this Zoey and Sassafras book as much as the others I have read, mostly because I felt like the science in this one was weak and that is one of the best features of these books, in my opinion. That said, my daughter is enamored by these stories and that makes them wonderful to me! Overall, I recommend this series and look forward to the next one Citro writes.

[Efox · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are WONDERFUL. Seriously. Get yourself on the Zoey and Sassafras's bandwagon if you have kids. Even if you don't have kids.

This book is about natural pest control. Zoey is enjoying a fun summer with a bunch of characters we've met in previous books like Pip (who as my kids pointed out got a LOT of chapters about him and is basically now in every book) and the Merhorses from Merhorses and Bubbles, Gorp from Monsters and Mold, and even Tiny from Unicorns and Germs makes an appearance. All Zoeys magical friends are grumpy, and she has to devise a way to rid their forrest of the Grumplets (who are causing all of this).

Super creative - still sticks to good science practices and deals with disappointment and frustration really well. Highly recommend and I'm very excited for the next book!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Zoey and Sassafras' magical friends start to suddenly come down with grumpy attitudes, Zoey is on the case of what is causing her friends to be so upset. Some of them share with her the stories about grumplets causing such things, but there are no confirmed sightings of grumplets in the area. Can Zoey figure out if they are really in the area, what is making them stay, and how to move them out of the area in a humane way?

Another great mystery that causes Zoey to apply serious science to solve the problem. Zoey's mom helps guide her along the way, but Zoey and Sassafras do a lot of the sleuthing and problem solving on their own. Several of the magical friends from previous stories make an appearance again in this one, and though troublesome, the grumplets are pretty cute in the illustrations.

Notes on content: When the grumplets are nearby they can cause friends to say unkind things to each other, but the friends are good at apologizing later and it isn't anything super awful for kids to read.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first one in the series where reading all the previous books is necessary (besides the fact that all of them kind of need you to read book one). While it was fun to see all the creatures from previous books, I feel like series such as these are usually written in a way where you can pick up any and be fine and it kind of stinks that you can’t with this one.
I also think this one has less science. I mean, we do learn about organic gardening but there isn’t as much scientific experimentation in this one.
Still a very cute story though!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both of the kids loved this one! It’s all about pests, both on garden plants and with the magical creatures.

The merhorses made another appearance, which my 4yo loved because she likes to paddle her hands like little underwater hooves. Both kids also loved the absolutely adorable drawings of the grumplets, as well as the reappearance of a large character from a previous book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was clever, and I liked the exploration of different options for dealing with garden pests, but I thought the solution to the problem in this book was a little too easy and didn't include the usual trial and error that Zoey goes through in most books. My son was engaged in the story, though!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little different from some of the others in the series because there was not a true experiment. However, Zoey still had to do her research and apply what she knew to her situation.

My girls loved this one because so many of the creatures from past books made guest appearances. Natalie actually shrieked when Tiny the unicorn showed up. Totally worth it.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was fun! A little more abstract and I liked it. This is about magical creatures called Grumplets that eat people's joy. They're making all the animals grouchy so Zoey tries to come up with an alternative. She ends up planting berries in the forest so they'll eat that instead. They get help from unicorns and other animals from past books and it was super sweet!

[Lisa McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have enjoyed many tales of Zoey & Sassafras as they discover and help the magical creatures in the forest. Grumplets and Pests has been our least favorite in the series. A little too long and with far less emphasis on the science experiments, we're hoping #8 gets back on track with our favorite girl scientist and her best kitty.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kiddo did not like this one. I mean, she did, but then at bedtime had a total meltdown worried about a grumplet sneaking into her bedroom and eating her joy. 5 is young enough to still be scared but also old enough to know it’s make believe, so it all worked out ok, but maybe I should start listening to these myself before listening to them with her.

[Marisa Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love these books! #6 in the series is filled with grumplets who keep stealing the magical creatures happiness and aphids eating kale. Let’s say I could relate.

Make sure to read this one during the summer season it’s nice to read it in season.

[Nichole Ostrander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and how it presented organic gardening. These books have story with magical creatures, but each teach a science concept. They are written in such a fun way that reading the story is interesting and learning happens almost by accident.

[RachelAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my least favorite of a stellar series, this was nonetheless charming and fun. I love the inclusion of information about different techniques for dealing with pest species, although the grumplets were a little unconvincing to me.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute science-y book about magical creatures and non-pesticide pest control. Only irritation is they say organic gardening means not using pesticides, which is a common misconception that causes more harm than good.

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[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read-aloud of the year with my 5yo! She loves this series and gets mad when I try to take a break from it to read her anything else. Hopefully I can find something good to replace it because we're coming up on the end of the series pretty quick!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book thoroughly! I want to make plaster of paris footprint molds now! This book stretched on the magical aspect by trumpets eating joy. But, a fantasy is a fantasy. I always love Zoey’s problem solving, never-give-up attitude. Can’t wait to read these books with my son when he’s older.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoey, Sassafras and Pip are back and battling crabby feelings. Zoey and her mom figure out what type of creature causes this and Zoey works out a plan to have them leave the forest. I love the way Citro shows the processing and science used to solve the problems.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emmy, 6yo: it was kind of like a learning book but at the same time fun and cool! It’s really cool that she likes to help animals.
Ruby, 8yo: Zoey discovers strange things happening to her animal friends and tries to help them.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe and Sassafras are the best!

[Patti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even acknowledging the premise of magical creatures, this plot was a little too hokey for me.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey is our favorite and the grumplets are adorable. Great family read.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute-- will definitely read with kids when they're older, though I wouldn't read more on my own.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my favorite one of the series. It didn’t have the same magic that the others have. My kids still enjoyed it.

[Beholden · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are big fans of this series, but this one wasn’t as enjoyable (to me) as the others. My daughter loved it though (4.5yo).

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful combination of magic and science to captivate young and old imaginations.

[kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute, good stuff

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly implausible.