Scary School, by Derek the Ghost

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Pages:  256

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre:  MG, Humor

Scary School would be the perfect book to read aloud to the class at the beginning of the new school year.  As a teacher I’m always looking for that book that will hook my reluctant readers.  This is that book.  Imagine a school where monsters and humans go to school together.  Imagine that all of your teachers are monsters.  Hey, the students already think teachers are monsters for giving homework so this isn’t a far stretch of the imagination.  Imagine you are on a tour of the school with your tour guide Derick the Ghost.  He had died the previous year in a terrible accident at the school.  The new kid, Charles Nukid thinks everyone is real friendly when they holler, “Hey new kid”.

The teachers and other members of the school are wonderful to read about.  I laughed and laughed  when I read about Nurse Hairymoles.  She can cure whatever ails you. 

However, she makes sure you get something that is even worse.

The Ghoul Games were cool.  We are always talking about starting our school year by building community with our students so they learn up front to get along.  This book is a subtle way to teach students life lessons such as; no one is better than anyone else just because they are different. 

Will I recommend this book to my student?  You bet I will.  Currently I have an electronic version.  However, I will be purchasing a copy for my shelves along with a copy of the sequel “Monsters on the March”.  The illustrations by Scott M. Fischer are absolutely wonderful. 

Check out the book and then purchase the second one, to be released March 26.  This is a definite must read.  It is a book both young and old will enjoy.