Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Humorous homage to classic horror is perfect for tween boys.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
When 12-year-old Robert Arthur starts at state-of-the-art Lovecraft Middle School, he's worried about fitting in and avoiding Glen Torkells, his old nemesis from elementary school. Soon, though, he has other things on his mind, including a missing student, a strange science teacher, and a two-headed rat. If Robert and Glen want to save themselves, the school, and perhaps the entire universe, they have to learn to work together.
Is It Any Good?
PROFESSOR GARGOYLE: TALES FROM LOVECRAFT MIDDLE SCHOOL #1 is an action-packed, easy-to-read kick-off for a humorous horror series. Author Charles Gilman keeps a light touch on the spookier aspects of the story, and illustrator Eugene Smith delivers drawings that are funny, if sometimes a little frightening. The "new kid at school" set-up is a little cliched, but the author delivers some interesting wrinkles on old themes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the first day at a new school is sometimes so scary. Do relationships between students change in the transition from elementary to middle school?
Is it possible to become friends with a school bully?
Why do students hide situations that are bothering them? Kids: What's the best way to communicate with parents about bullies and other scary things at school?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Eugene Smith
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals ( Bugs ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Quirk Books
- Publication date : September 25, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 160
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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