Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spooky tales of kids at a school that's alive and angry.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Sam thinks it's the worst job around when old Mr. Nekobi chooses him to be the new hall monitor at EERIE ELEMENTARY. But he soon finds out that the job is about more than wearing an ugly orange sash and making sure other students get to class on time. The hall monitor is in life-threatening danger, and must make sure that the school doesn't destroy the students, teachers, and everything in its path. Eerie Elementary School is alive, and the spirit of mad scientist Orson Eerie won't give up. Sam and his friends Lucy and Antonio are grabbed, thrown, chased, and trapped, and they have to defeat the living school without letting anyone know their secret.
Is It Any Good?
With kid-eating playground sets, attacking boilers, surprise labyrinths, and more, these books are for young readers who enjoy fast-paced, scary stories. The writing is engaging and the tension is high; sometimes it seems like any or all of the kids are going to die. Kids will enjoy reading about scary things that happen at school, and probably not realize that they're learning how to use logic to solve big problems or how to work cooperatively. The vocabulary is slightly advanced for younger readers, but the books will be a scary breeze for readers comfortable with chapter books.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the kids at Eerie Elementary face their fears. When they're scared and in danger, what do you think keeps them focused on trying to stop the school from attacking everyone?
What would you do if you found out that being the hall monitor meant you'd have to defend the school, not just tell kids to get to class?
What other books are about scary or strange times at school?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Sam Ricks
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic
- Publication date : June 24, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 8
- Number of pages : 96
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : December 31, 2025
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