The Chupacabra

Gr 6–8—Facts and fiction combine in this series focused on one girl's interest in mysterious animals. Vanessa Day, who lives in Dublin, lost her mother several years ago to illness. She shares her scientist mother's interest in cryptids, animals whose existence has not yet been scientifically proven. In the first book, The Loch Ness Monster, Vanessa decides to read her mother's old case files about the legendary creature. She is thrilled to find out that her family will be taking a vacation to Scotland, near where there have been sightings of Nessie, but she is less than excited to find that they will be staying with her father's new girlfriend's family. After Vanessa takes a careless risk out on the water, her life is in danger, and her rescue takes a fantastical turn. Each chapter begins with a tidbit of information about the area or about sightings of the Loch Ness monster, corresponding with the action in the story. The Chupacabra is set up similarly. Unfortunately, at times facts slow down the action, and the short chapters can chop up the plot instead of advancing it. While the first novel focuses on Vanessa's family, the second takes her to Mexico with a friend. Changing the setting, while necessary for the focus on specific cryptids, diminishes readers' ability to connect with any character besides Vanessa. The mystery of the cryptids themselves, however, will be enough to keep many readers interested, and Vanessa's growth between the two books is evident.—Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ