Joe Ballarini

Kelly's biggest problem has always been being invisible at school and not having the guts to speak up to her crush. Until now.

Now she's gotten stuck babysitting her mom's boss's kid Jacob...and he's just been kidnapped by a genuine, real MONSTER. Turns out, monsters are real, deadly, and the only thing standing between them and the kids are....the babysitters. Kelly sets off with experienced babysitter Liz to get Jacob back and defeat the Grand Guignol once and for all. But it's not that show more easy. Along the way they'll encounter monsters, deadly danger, and even *gasp* an after hours party and Kelly's crush!

Kelly's obsession with popularity, friends, and her crush even in the midst of monsters and deadly danger is realistic albeit a little frustrating. Throughout the story she grows as a friend, realizing that the other babysitters are good friends, even if they are weird, and overcoming her fear both of monsters and of the popular kids. At the end, Kelly isn't perfect - but neither are her new friends. She has found something she cares about though and she's willing to fight for the kids and through her own fears both big and small.

The story includes pages from the Babysitter's guide to monster hunting as well as descriptions of events happening outside of Kelly's narrative. The story has an open ending that's not quite a cliffhanger but leaves the possibility of future adventures of the babysitters.

This is a brisk action/adventure fantasy with just enough creepy/gross monsters to interest readers who like a little creepy without turning off more sensitive audiences. It's firmly in the middle school range - it hints at middle school crushes, frustrations and angst, has several moments of genuine scariness as well as missing children, deadly weapons, and killing monsters, but doesn't include more mature relationship issues and language.

Verdict: Strong female characters who are flawed but work through their flaws, nerdy kids who don't overcome their outcast status but accept it and move on, and lots of adventure and action make this a book that's sure to fly off your shelves, especially around Halloween. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780062437839; Published 2017 by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

** The copy I read was an advance reader copy I received from Edelweiss **

This was a fun and funny adventure story for middle-grade readers. It reminded me a bit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer but for a younger crowd. It had some of the same snark and humor combined with monsters and gooey creatures and exciting adventures but less death and scares. I quite enjoyed the characters, misfits who save the world (or at least save the children who may be important to the world -- Abe Lincoln is show more mentioned!) while still managing to attend school and hold down after-school jobs. The world-building was well-done but I would like to see some more background about the world where these monsters/creatures reside when not tormenting children. Hopefully there will be some of this in future books. I did find the romance side-story a bit unnecessary but I feel that way about most story romances and at least this one didn't take over too much of the book! The friendship between the babysitters did develop a bit too fast but I understand that there was only so much time story-wise to give the reader all the details. All in all, I enjoyed this book and plan to read future entries in this series. I would recommend this book to book clubs for children/young teens and to all children who enjoy fun, fast-paced monster stories with not too much gore! show less

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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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! show less