A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting #1: A Great Fall and Halloween Read for Kids - Hardcover

Ballarini, Joe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062437836 ISBN 13: 9780062437839

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2017

Synopsis

The Last Kids on Earth meets Goosebumps in this hilarious new series about a secret society of babysitters who protect kids from the monsters that really do live under their beds!

When middle schooler Kelly Ferguson’s Halloween plans switch from party-going to babysitting, she thinks the scariest part of her night will be the death of her social life. But then Baby Jacob gets kidnapped by the Boogeyman’s minions and Kelly learns there’s a whole lot more to childcare than free snacks and Netflix. Like chasing shadow monsters, drop-kicking Toadies, and mastering monster-fighting moves like the Naptime Headlock and Playground Punch.

Now, with the help of an ancient handbook and a secret society of butt-kicking babysitters, Kelly sets out to destroy the Boogeyman before he brings Jacob’s nightmares to life. But when the monsters’ trail leads to her school’s big Halloween bash, Kelly will have to prove she can save the world—without totally embarrassing herself in front of her friends.

Packed with black-and-white illustrations and insider secrets from the world of monster hunting, A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting is full of tricks, treats, and terrifying twists!

• Perfect for Halloween Reading
• Ideal for fans of the supernatural
• Features light scares

About this title

About the Author

Joe Ballarini is a screenwriter who’s worked on numerous feature films, including My Little Pony: The Movie and the zombie comedy cult classic Dance of the Dead. He has written family films, horror films, silly comedies, and sweeping adventures. He lives with his wife, their son, and their two rescue dogs in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

Gr 5–7—This shining gem in the campy monster drama genre is a step up from R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps." Meet Kelly Ferguson, a struggling 12-year-old who hasn't quite found her place in the middle school hierarchy. Then she accidentally discovers a team of monster-fighting babysitters. Their mission is to save kids from the utmost evil in the world, the Grand Guignol. This despicable, devil-like creature, who is also known as the boogeyman, preys on defenseless children left in the care of babysitters. When Kelly's charge, Jacob, is kidnapped right under her nose, she must work with the band of super babysitters to help rescue baby Jacob from the clutches of the vile Grand Guignol. The over-the-top humorous action, snarky dialogue, and engaging characters will keep readers hooked. The other babysitters, such as Liz, who is haunted by the disappearance of a sibling, each have interesting backstories. Liz creates A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, which the sitters refer to when faced with a new threat. Excerpts from this handy manual are sprinkled throughout the narrative, adding an interesting dimension to the storytelling and world-building. VERDICT With shades of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this tale of a courageous heroine and her ragtag group of intrepid babysitters battling nightmare-inducing beasts makes for addictive reading. Hand this to fans of Chris Colfer, Rick Riordan, and Adam Gidwitz.—Julie Shatterly, W. A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0062437836
• ISBN 13: 9780062437839
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: To Vivienne
• Number of pages: 352