As Charming and Irreverent as its Predecessor

Monsters on the March (Scary School #2) by Derek Taylor Kent, alias Derek the Ghost (HarperCollins, 2012, 256pp.)

In this sequel to Scary School—a playful tale that chronicled the goings-on at an elementary school for human and monster attendees—the students find themselves shuttled to the Albanian court of King Zog as a reward for surviving last year’s grueling Ghoul Games. Their host, King Zog, is the nicest, most well-behaved, pleasantest-smelling monster you could ever meet. Just don’t insult him, or pick your nose in his presence—that’s the quickest way to dismemberment. So after someone sneezes—rather unapologetically, I might add—during the court’s welcome assembly, Zog declares all-out war on Scary School. Now, once again, it’s up to the intrepid students and faculty to save their beloved school before they’re torn to pieces by Zog’s fearsome army of karate-practicing monsters and monster pirate allies. A sequel as charming and irreverent as its predecessor. Recommended to Ages 9-12.

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Kooky, Clever, and Irreverent

Scary School by Derek Taylor Kent, alias Derek the Ghost (Harper, 2011, 233pp.)

Welcome to Scary School, where human children intermingle with monster kids, the school librarian is a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a giant squid lurks in the school moat, and gargoyles carry off students who loiter on the playground after recess. You may notice that the mortality rate is a little higher here than most elementary schools. That’s because children are in constant danger of being eaten by the teachers, or accidentally killed in one of Mr. Acidbath’s science experiments, or purposefully maimed by their classmates, or falling prey to Principal Headcrusher’s bone-shattering grip… But that doesn’t mean they have to stay dead. They can always come back to life as a vampire or zombie.

So, why put children in such a hazardous environment? According to Principal Headcrusher, “the more scared children are, the better they learn” (69). Honestly, who wouldn’t be able to improve their test scores if their lives depended on it? Okay, so some teachers may be a little too eager to punish student transgressions (Dr. Dragonbreath, the dragon history teacher, was put on probation last year for eating his entire fifth grade class) but some of the teachers are very kind to students. Take Ms. Fang, for instance. According to the student body, she’s by far the “nicest, sweetest teacher at Scary School” and “only ate twelve kids last year” (13, 15).

Need I say more? Scary School is a clever, kooky, irreverent children’s book that will be enjoyed by anyone who adores Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School, or Mike Thaler’s Teacher from the Black Lagoon. Recommended for Ages 9-12, but grown-ups may get a kick out of it, too.

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Ghastly Murder Provides For Rich Listening Experience

The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket, Illus. Carson Ellis, Music by Nathaniel Stookey (HarperCollins Publishers, 2009, 40pp.)

The Composer is dead, and someone, according to the Inspector, must be held accountable. From the creator of A Series of Unfortunate Events comes this unique and fresh examination of musical performance. While the book can be read on its own, it is accompanied by a recorded narration performed by none other than Lemony Snicket himself. As the Inspector accuses each section of murder, the Instruments (played beautifully by the San Francisco Symphony) defend themselves using an eloquent combination of speech and classical music. However, as daring as this work is, the musical breaks between narration sometimes border on excessive length, and younger readers may lose interest. For the older child who has an appreciation for classical music, this is a rare treat indeed. Recommended for Ages 9-12.

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