Books
July 2024. 256p. Simon & Schuster, Gr. 3–6
Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters.
Readers will be irresistibly drawn into the captivating world of Kopy's monster-filled middle-grade novel, where the promise of tantalizing secrets sets the stage for adventure. Through the snarky, charming narrative of an mysterious observer, the story unveils a delightful blend of whimsy and mystery revealing truths that adults often keep hidden from children—namely, the existence of monsters. Rescued as a baby from a graveyard, Theodora grows up in a house full of monsters learning to be good, but they have to keep her a secret. That's easier said than done, especially when Theodora starts attending school with an unusually terrible head teacher and someone is threatening to report her monster family for breaking the no-humans rule. Alongside the lively characters and light mystery, the narrator imparts a particularly mischievous charm, with cheeky asides about how to prank teachers and the many ways parents are wrong. With playful, comical illustrations reminiscent of the Addams Family that vividly bring the scenes and characters to life, this delightful, cheeky romp is ideal for those who relish eerie tales with a humorous twist.
Amy Ravelo, BookList
This gruesomely funny tale, the first in a series, is illustrated throughout with amusing black-and-white artwork. Not for the squeamish or faint-hearted, this action-packed spooky mystery is full of ghoulish characters and offbeat humour, and is ideal for independent young readers. ― BookTrust
Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle
A human child in England helps the undead and supernatural creatures who raised her confront a threat to all organized monsterdom.
As if a sour new head teacher who seems bent on forcing her expulsion isn’t trouble enough for light-skinned, redheaded 10-year-old Theodora, the sudden arrival of imperious Inspector Mary Shelley and sneering Ratsputin, her snake-tailed rodent sidekick, cranks up the tension at home—otherwise known as the London branch of the Monstrous League of Monsters. Kopy populates her work with a variety of creatures, from motherly Mummy the mummy and house dad Dracula to Sherman the talking tarantula, Goldie the giant human-headed cobra, and gargoyles named Bob and Sally. In keeping with the light overall tone, Theodora is perfectly at ease among all the creepy characters, and in Jevons’ many black-and-white illustrations they look more cartoonish than frightening. The humor even takes a sly turn when Goldie hints at the precise kind of monster that Shelley is with the observation that, while not all monsters are authors, the opposite may not be true. Proving that she is as capable of tackling an evil home invader with keen martial arts moves as she is organizing a festive Halloween fair for the community, Mummy is the hero of this second series entry. But Theodora joins Dexter, her Nigerian British classmate who has a stutter, and others in a successful act of civil disobedience at school, offering her a chance to shine, too.
Monstrous but with a wink. (Paranormal mystery. 8-12)
Theodora Hendrix and the Snare of the Shadowmongers
What can one child do when a wicked witch attempts to overcome all the law-abiding monsters in the world?
An exciting trip to New York City turns terrifying when megalomaniac Hilda the witch attacks with an overwhelming army of elusive Shadowmongers, who can suck the magic from monsters and, as 10-year-old Theodora discovers, give ordinary humans nightmares for life. As the good monsters, who raised her in cozy Appleton village, gather under the leadership of her fierce (and well-wrapped) Mummy for a desperate last stand, an enigmatic ally slithers in to help Theodora. Though this work is eminently readable as a brisk, uncomplicated, good-vs.-evil dust-up with a notably diverse cast of creepy and not-so-creepy creatures and a happy (if rather fortuitous) ending, Kopy slips in a few wrinkles. Pale, redheaded Theodora’s long-absent birth mother reappears, so she must adjust to having both a Mum and a Mummy in the picture. And though most nonmagical people can’t see through the monsters’ concealing glamours, some do, an ability that leads to a deeply uncomfortable social situation as well as a newfound appreciation for true friends. Otherwise, all comes round right at the close, and though the story has moments of real terror, closing celebrations and Hunt’s interior illustrations help to defuse them.
A third series entry filled with magical exploits aplenty and leavened with cogent real-life issues. (Light horror. 8-12)
