Monster Match

November 1, 2023
In Rivadeneira's middle-grade book, Fred is sick and misses an author's visit to his school. When he returns, he finds the writer has mistakenly inscribed "To Frank" on his book. Classmate Luisa, who calls herself Princesa Maria Luisa Octavia, sits next to Fred and regularly calls him "dumb." When she sees the inscription in his book, she teases him, saying that while he might be Fred at home, he's "Frank in school." When their teacher asks the class to write a "what if...?" story, Luisa's words inspire Fred to write a humorous poem about turning into "Frankinschool." Then suddenly, a green fog rolls in; Fred has become the Frankenstein-like monster Frankinschool, and Luisa has become an actual princess, while the other students have dozed off. The two must contend with the effects of a strange potion and a scheming ghost. Rivadeneira deftly creates relatable characters and delivers smart, sometimes snappy, dialogue. The plot delightfully explodes into an imaginative, hilarious situation, delivering poignant lessons on forgiveness, friendship, and fairness. Young readers will enjoy every page of this slightly spooky, utterly charming tale.

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