Children's Book Review: The School is Alive! (Ages 6-8)

The School is Alive! (Eerie Elementary # 1)
by Jack Chabert

Mr. Nekobi, the maintenance man, selected Sam Graves as the new hall monitor at Eerie Elementary. The last thing Sam would have volunteered to be at school is the hall monitor and have to wear a shiny orange sash labeled HALL MONITOR. It's just not cool or so he thinks. Sam doesn't know it but being hall monitor is the key to everything that's about to happened at Eerie Elementary good or bad.

Sam first realized the school was alive when he was almost sucked deep below by the playground that was made of quicksand. Soon after the playground fright, that same day, Sam was monitoring the halls when he encountered a giant oak tree, a clock, fire hose, lockers and the hallway that had all come alive! He tries to convince his best friends Antonio and Lucy that he's telling the truth. At this point, Sam knew there was only one person who could give him answers and that was Mr. Nekobi.

Mr. Nekobi confirmed that the school was indeed alive and something bad was going to happen. Will Sam be ready to keep everyone safe when Eerie Elementary decides to strike again?

Eerie Elementary continues to menace and munch on unsuspecting school children in Eerie Elementary #2 - The Locker ATE Lucy!

Note: This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! School Library Journal says that this series is perfect for the young readers who want some scares but who aren't yet ready for the Goosebumps and Scream Street series.

Saundra Ross
North Avondale Library