Monster of the Month Club

Monsters #1

by Dian Curtis Regan

After joining the Monster of the Month Club and receiving her first shipment, Rilla thinks the whole thing is a joke, until the box starts moving and a seven-eyed, yogurt-loving monster, whom she names Icicle, jumps out. Reprint.

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

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Dian is the author of many books for young readers, ranging from picture books to novels for teenagers. She graduated from the University of Colorado, her home state, and has also lived in Texas, Oklahoma, and Venezuela. Presently, she lives in Kansas.

Reviews

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another favorite from my childhood. I'm on some strange approximation of a children's lit kick right now, and that of course calls for a return to the stomping grounds of my youth.

Regan has produced a sweet, simplistic story that reads a little fast and is all together curious, but for the age group, it's a solid selection. It boasts an unusual premise; that is, someone has sent Rilla a year-long membership to the Monster of the Month Club, and soon her attic bedroom will be full of tiny monsters demanding time, food and attention. Much of the story coasts on the difficulties she suffers attempting to maintain normalcy with the presence of her uninvited guests.

Rilla herself is a whiny, uninspired heroine, but she's easy enough to relate to. The story's spark really resides in the time spent with the monsters, who are interesting, fun and personable, and as a child, I desperately wanted a couple of my own. As books for older kids go, Regan's Monster series is a solid pick, and it deserves a space on your child's shelf.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the cutest little series. I wish I could kidnap all the monsters for myself. I think Rilla's obscure living conditions (mish-mashed family, Earth-friendly mother, absentee father) will resonate with a lot more kids these days than when it was published.[return]Overall, it's an adorable story with charming characters.

[Victoria Dimmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to a classroom in which the children ranged from second to fourth grade, and all of them loved it! This book is funny and really keeps children's attention. After we finished reading it I was able to make-up activities using the book; for example I had the kids make their own "Monster of the Month" in which they had to include a name and different adjectives describing their monster.

[Emily Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monster of The Month Club by Dian Curtis Regan is a silly and fun book! I loved looking forward to reading this book everyday and was tough to put it down. The main character, Rilla is a cool girl living an area of responsibility, boundaries, and others coming and going. Rilla gets a package and an ugly monster who is very bossy and rude pops out. Rilla can't tell anyone so she fulfills her responsibilities of caring for the monster herself. "Now the tears were for her father. He didn't need her or he'd come back and never leave again. Next the tears were for mr. . She was already too attached to him. " Rilla lives in a bed and breakfast so many people in her life come and go, she may not get too attached. The b& b has many boundaries and this leaves Rilla all locked up. If you would like to read a really cool book about this reality, it is 100% recommended( for all ages).

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites from my childhood!

[Pyrate Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rilla harmony Earth lives her mother, Sparrow, and her Aunt Poppy in their bed-and-breakdfast, Harmony House. She's been homeschooled for a while but at the age of twelve, she's longing for more social interaction with her peers. When a mysterious box arrives addressed to her with a real monster inside, little does Rilla know how much she is going to learn about the world.

[Snappy Hades · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has always and will always be my most favorite and treasured book. This was the book that inspired me to write my own stories throughout my childhood.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need to read this again for nostalgia sake - author was ahead of their time with the idea of monthly subscription boxes

[Marinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. Cute.

[Kenzie]

I read this as a kid and loved them - I recently found them in boxes of my old things so I'm re-reading them with my little sister.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute premise. Well presented.
I couldn't get over that a 12 year old wouldn't have told an adult along the way.