Meet the Beast

Gr 3—5—Nine-year-old Zeke and his younger sister Hannah's adventures begin when they receive a large box from their dad. It is empty except for a bunch of candy wrappers. Then all the sugary foods at home disappear. Zeke finds the culprit living in his shoe—a tiny monster from the Bermuda Triangle whom they name Otto. He can change size, and he can also make inanimate objects exchange shapes. This book is a combination beginning chapter book and graphic novel, and it is very fast paced. There are made-up words and many a "POOF!" and "BAM!" Neither the story nor most of the vocabulary is challenging, and there is lots of graphic support with a line drawing on almost every page. There is also some name-calling and potty humor. An additional purchase.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR