Betsy Uhrig

Monsterly tension hits humor and heart in an exciting adventure with characters to love.

Lena is in the seventh grade and a born ball of stress. When she's called to the school's office, she's sure the world's about to end. Instead, she's asked to skip Homeroom every morning and take part in testing an app meant to reduce stress. At first, everything is great, and she's actually enjoying the calming sessions. But when nightmares begin, and she discovers a blob of goo on her pillow the next morning, the calm part is over. The students' fears are turning into monsters, and those are more dangerous than a semester test could ever be.

This book is sold as a Scooby-Doo meets anxiety prone kids, and the comparison isn't bad. Lena's a kind person, who isn't quite comfortable in her own skin but does her best to deal with everything even with a constant hum of anxiety. The author lets us sink into her situation (family, friends, and school), while slowing edging into the growing threat. The meditation-app had me smiling, especially as it sets off the main plot (clever and time fitting!). It also allows the other characters to gain a foothold with their, obviously, distinct personalities and quirks before the monsters begin to trickle in. And these monsters are imagination pure with a dangerous touch to keep the tension high. While there is heart and threats galore, it's the constant, gentle humor, which makes it fun.

While the main plot circles around the anxiety-ridden group of monster fighters as they literally face their fears head-on (got to love this bunch!), there are a couple sub-plots to add heart. Lena's best friend is changing, and while she tries to bare with her friend's new interests and priorities, the rift between them grows. There's also a lovely, family dynamic, especially on the sibling end as Lena's personality sits seemingly on the opposite end of her older brother's. Mix in the new forming friendships, and it's a rich adventure from beginning to end. And tons of fun, too.… (mere)