Today's read... Chiller Thriller! by Joe McGee

It's IWSG day, and I still haven't caught up with the calendar. Where is time going? Anyway, for those of you who don't know...this is an awesome writers' group, which offers support, encouragement, a place to vent, friends, tips, opportunities, and so much more. Started by the just as amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh, this group meets every 1st Wednesday of the month. 

Special thanks goes to the co-hosts:  C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose, Jennifer Lane, and Jacqui Murray!

I just want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and amazing Holiday Season if I don't get around to 'seeing' you before the end of the month!

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To December belong snow-topped mountains and the dreams of pine trees. And let's not forget vampires and yetis. Okay, I've never spared much thought for monstrous creatures during the holiday season, but today's read seems to add that as a fresh twist. Although this one shouldn't be about Christmas...I don't think, anyway...it does promise tons of snowflakes and chilly fun. 

CHILLER THRILLER!

Junior Monster Scouts #7

by Joe McGee

Illustrated by Ethan Long

Aladdin

Chapter Book Fantasy

112 pages

ages 6 to 10

The Junior Monster Scouts befriend a lonely yeti in the hilarious seventh chapter book of the Junior Monster Scouts series!

It’s winter in the Village and a fresh blanket of snow means sledding, caroling, yummy hot cocoa, and fun for everyone. Everyone, that is, but a lonely Yeti named Igloo and cranky Baron Von Grump whose cabin is about to be whisked away by a scary avalanche! Can the Junior Monster Scouts—Franky, Wolfy, and Vampyra—save the day and make a new (and not-so-abominable) friend?

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MY TIDBITS

Friendship takes all sorts of interesting and silly twists with a group, which is everything but average.

A big snow fall means tons of outdoor and wintery fun for the Junior Monster Scouts, and they're planning on using the time well. But nothing goes as smoothly as planned. Not only is the grumpy Barn Von Grump at her complaining best...but then, her house is about to tip off the top of the mountain...but there's an unexpected guest. Alright, the yeti wasn't invited, but that only makes things more interesting.

This is the first book I've read in this series, which means I'm hitting this one pretty late in the game considering its book seven. Luckily, it wasn't too hard to dive in and figure out the characters and their personality traits. The fun starts from the very first page and continues the entire way through in the quirkiest and oddest ways. It's silly, it's a bit strange thanks to the original characters, and it definitely keeps the reader surprised until the end...because it's impossible to see most things coming.

The text is just right for the chapter book audience and great for those who are pretty sure of their words but not quite ready for true middle grade novels. The generous spacing and larger font make for easy reading. There are also illustrations every few pages to help readers visualize the scenes. The artwork does a good job at adding the right humor. The style wasn't my most favorite, but that's a personal taste thing. 

While silliness an humor are packed into every page, there are several encouraging messages, too, which guide in all things friendship (works even for those who aren't monsters). The author does speak to the reader and draws them in, which makes the tale come to life but also broke the flow, sometimes. Again, either a reader enjoys it or doesn't. It's a fun book with an original cast, which delivers a fun and silly tale from beginning to end. 

And here they are...

Joe McGee loves to write about monsters and magic and other strange, curious, and quirky things. He grew up with his nose in a book and his imagination exploring other worlds. He knew when he was ten years old that one day he would grow up to be an author! He has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and an MFA in writing from Rowan University. Joe teaches at Sierra Nevada University’s low-residency MFA program and English at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He is a former Army officer and lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his wife (also a children’s author), Jessica Rinker. 

Ethan Long is the acclaimed author and illustrator of many books for children, among them the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Up, Tall, and High. He is also the creator of the animated, Emmy Award–nominated series Tasty Time with ZeFronk, which aired on Disney Junior.