Lovecraft Middle School is back in session!

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that aims to bring you something wonderful, something wordy, something that might give you a paper cut if handled the wrong way (but I know you are all WELL versed in the care and handling of a book)...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

It seems this is bookish birthday week here on the site as we enter day two and don our party hats once again...only this time, we also need one with two hats, but only one annoying elastic for under your chin.  No, I've not invented a new style nor am I inviting a bull to the party, but there is a little critter in attendance that is deserving of the party favor.  Here you go guys! *snaps elasty*  There.  Perfect!  Now, where were we...oh yes!  The book!

TODAY we are celebrating the BOOK BIRTHDAY of the third book in a Children's Fiction/Middle Grade series that is more than suited for readers of the target age range and beyond.  We were introduced to Lovecraft Middle School's haunted...I mean hallowed halls in Professor Gargoyle.  We were warned against using the school swimming pool for any reasons with The Slither Sisters. (Of course, if you need a quick run down on them, just search out the series here on my site, I've got you covered.  ^_^)  Now, we're learning that looks can be deceiving and intentions are not always what they seem with today's book of choice...

Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, Book 3:

Teacher's Pest

by

Charles Gilman

Illustrated by

Eugene Smith

About the book...

DON'T BE FOOLED by his friendly smile, his perfect manners, or his shiny red apple. Student council president Howard Mergler is actually a sinister bug-monster in disguise—and he's summoning swarms of roaches, wasps, fleas, and head lice into the corridors of Lovecraft Middle School! Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur is the only student who can stop him--but he'll need help from his best friends: the school bully, the school ghost, and an extremely courageous two-headed rat.

Let's just say if you have even the SLIGHTEST version of a weak stomach, DON'T READ THIS ONE DURING LUNCH!  *-*

Yes, we're back and Lovecraft Middle School is under attack once again as Crawford Tillinghast tries tries
tries to take over the school (and then the world!) with his army of creatures, features, devious diversions and the like.  Yep.  Never a dull moment, though in lieu of fighting off hordes of creepy crawlies, I think I'll take that extra study hall.  *ahem*  Howard Mergler is a tricky one and has positioned himself just so within the school's class system to potentially get everything he and the evil Tillinghast desire.  - insert evil laugh here - Who knew that that polished exterior and sparkling mind were really only a vessel for...something I shan't reveal, but if you read book 2 or dive into this one, you'll find out soon enough.  By the time this installment is up, we'll have faced clouds of maggots (keep your mouth shut), more than our fair share of lice (still itchy after reading THAT portion....*scratch scratch*)...and just might be looking at an eternity with our soul in a slightly larger than average urn and our body being used to cause who knows what kinds of havoc in the real world, but hey...at least we'll be doing it together with our friends Glenn, Karina, and Pip and Squeak.  Right?  Right?!?  *-*   _gulp_


If you thought I'd spoil it for you up there, think again!  I just can't do it.  With a series that reads so quickly and can be enjoyed by the masses, the mysteries must remain in tact, however I can mention a few OTHER things you may care to learn before you set out on your own reading journey.  I love how the books all build off of each other never leaving you to wonder what happened during the days/months/years in between installments, a fact I'm certain not only impatient readers appreciate but also the younger set.  I love how though all installments are a part of the whole, they can in fact be read individually and still enjoyed leaving the less active reader to have their interest sparked by any one title and still dive headlong into the series.  Do I recommend it be done this way?  Of course not....I mean, the whole series is made of awesome so why would you want to miss a moment plus even in these quick reads you get to see the characters and their relationships develop over the course of each novel (read that as MAD AUTHOR SKILLS) but it's still nice to have the option.  I also love how the author keeps the main crew in the spotlight but allows even the smallest of creatures to have additional page time in often unique ways.  How often does a two-headed rat get the chance to be the explorer, the one's to blaze the trail and face the danger before them head on in an effort to save not only their friends but the world?  Not often I'd venture.  ^-^

In conclusion, a definite MUST READ for the MG fan in your life, whether they be tall or small, young or old, from this realm or not (*-*); there is "fun" to be had in the pages of any Lovecraft Middle School story from cover to cover.  (One look at the lenticular covers should be a great indicator of that too.)  You'll come for the text, stay for the story and enjoy the heck out of the illustrations that pop up every so often...not so much that young readers will feel like they haven't progressed in their reading level but enough to give your minds eye a break from trying to create EVERY foul creature that comes your way.  You'll follow intently as our trio (plus Pip and Squeak!) try valiantly once again to stave off the impending doom that Tillinghast has released upon the student body, cheering with their successes, cringing at their set backs, but never quite giving up as their spirits buoy you along.  It's inventive, it's creepy cool, and in a word...FUN!


Review copy courtesy of Eric at Quirk Books.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog of quirky wonders, be sure to check out their site, like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  To discover more about the Lovecraft Middle School series including such fascinating tidbits as "How to Care for Your Two-Headed Rat", be sure to stop by the school's official website or Facebook page.  Oh, did I tell you?  I hear they're accepting new enrollments for the coming school year! Oh and good news for fans of the series!  BOOK 4, Substitute Teacher is scheduled for release September 2013...just take a gander at THAT cover - - >
~shudders~
*adds to wish list*

Until next time...happy reading!