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Review: Monster Match

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Monster Match
Written by Caryn Rivadeneira
Illustrated by Dani Jones
Egremont, MA: Red Chair Press, 2024. Intermediate. 106 pages.

What started out as a mistake and a silly "what if" poem leads to Fred turning into Frankinschool. While he was sick at home, Fred missed the class's author visit. The book that was signed for him said "to Frank." What and who would he be if he was Frank? Obviously, he would be a Frankenstein-type monster who would sneak around the school and wasn't afraid of bullies or anything else! Just when it's time for his next class, a green mist fills the classroom and transforms Fred into Frankinschool and every student falls into a deep sleep. Expect his tormentor, Luisa, who has turned into a princess. It's up to this unlikely pair to save the class from the magical slumber and maybe something even more sinister.

This is a great monster mystery for your young reader interested in a book that's just a touch spooky. Frankinschool is a monster that is very much just a normal kid, so don't worry about him giving you nightmares. The book is written at a fairly beginner level with many black and white pictures and big text. But with its page count and a few tricky words, I'd put this book in the middle of the Intermediate level.

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