Joe Ballarini

I really enjoyed this book! It's a monster-hunting adventure written for kids, and it's fast-paced and fun. The premise is that a middle school girl who just wants to save up money for summer camp becomes entangled in a world of monsters and imperiled children when she goes on what she assumes will be a simple babysitting job. At the start of the book, Kelly doesn't babysit for the love of the job, but because it's the traditional and time-approved occupation for teenagers to earn some extra cash. However, when her child charge is kidnapped by the boogie man, Kelly is determined to save him. As she works with Liz - the normal babysitter for Jacob - she realizes that there is more nobility to watching children than she previously had thought. Not only that, she learns that a special subset of babysitters are actually trained monster hunters. After all, the monsters of the dark like to prey on young kids, so it makes sense that the people who have the special job of watching them need to be equipped to handle those things that go bump in the night.

It's one adventure after another as Kelly and Liz track down the nefarious boogie man, one of the most feared monsters of in the list of babysitter enemies. With the fast-paced plot, I read through this kid's chapter book very quickly. Although Kelly's change of character is rather predictable, it was still fun watching her growth over the course of the novel. I'm a sucker for fun and simple monster-hunting stories, and this doesn't disappoint. I'm sure I'll be checking out more of the series.… (altro)

This scary, campy novel is a 2019 Lone Star selection

The novel begins with an introduction to the Boogeyman. He is the nightmare you dream about--the monster in the closet--and he kidnaps children at night. They are never seen again. The only people who can save the children are the Babysitters. We first meet Veronica who disposes of one Boogeyman in a suspenseful showdown. Abruptly, we meet Kelly in chapter one. All Kelly wants is to go to a camp next summer, so she’s doing everything she can to raise money. She’s so close to having enough! Her best friend suggests that Kelly babysit--it’s pretty lucrative!

Kelly becomes a babysitter. Unfortunately, it’s Halloween. Evil is rising and several kids will be kidnapped by the end of the evening and evil will take over. Kelly is unaware of all of this. She’s never babysat a kid and doesn’t even like kids. She’s supposed to go to an 8th grade party so that she can see her crush, Victor. Instead, Kelly’s mom tells her boss that Kelly can keep her kid. Kelly’s mom has a tyrant for a boss, so she can’t say no when asked if Kelly will babysit. The worst happens. While keeping the “loaf,” Kelly discovers that monsters do exist. Jacob sees the monsters and is upset that Liz, his favorite babysitter, isn’t here. She protects him from the monsters. After eating everything he’s not supposed to, Jacob goes to bed terrified. When Kelly checks on him, she discovers he’s been kidnapped. She calls Liz’s number (business card on the refrigerator) to get help. When Liz arrives with baby in tow, Kelly realizes babysitting is not what she thought. Liz isn’t very nice about Kelly losing Jacob. They take off to the babysitter’s headquarters.

Be prepared to meet all the nighttime creatures that are out to get children. Kelly, Liz, and the other babysitters track down the monsters vowing to get Jacob back and safely home before one a.m. It’s a suspenseful and adventurous night with frequent surprises for Kelly. She learns that she’s pretty brave and seems to have some skill--who knew! Her crush Victor even makes appearances. With the hints, you will see the surprises coming, but it’s still fun to “know” you were right. It’s a fun, cute, campy novel. You’ll have a good time reading this book!… (altro)