Professor Gargoyle

Gr 6–8—It's the first day of school for Robert Arthur. Lovecraft Middle School is housed in a brand-new building with a vast library, a state-of-the-art technology lab, and quite a few secrets. The first secret it reveals, unfortunately, is that Robert's childhood nemesis, Glenn Torkells, is there, but all of his friends have been sent to another school. After the day begins with an unexpected surprise in the student lockers, Robert arrives in science class and meets Professor Garfield Goyle, the strangest teacher he has ever had. When he finds the last (and greatest) of Lovecraft's secrets in the attic of the library, the truth behind the school emerges and Robert and his new ally, none other than Glenn Torkells, must join forces with an unlikely group of kids to battle the ghosts of the past that lurk in the shadows. This first entry in a series is a fun read and leaves readers guessing about what may come next. Occasional pencil illustrations complement the story quite well. The mysteries of Lovecraft offer plenty of excitement, and reluctant readers will likely stick around to see just how this story ends.Wayne R. Cherry, Jr., First Baptist Academy Library, Houston, TX