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The Monster Hypothesis
Welcome to Bohring-home to 453 people, 2,053 alligators, and one monster curse.
Correction: home to 454 people, now that Kick Winter is living in the swamp Hollows with her Grandma Missouri, the town (fake) psychic. Bohring is anything but boring for Kick who has already blown a hole through the kitchen floor, befriended a chicken-eating gator, and discovered that the town's hundred-year curse is upon them.
It's the Bohring curse and all the kids are about to become monsters-or so the legend goes. People are worried-except for Kick. She knows there's a scientific explanation for everything, especially curses and monsters. But Kick is the new kid in school and she's determined to make a name for herself . . . by pretending to be psychic.
According to her calculations: one teeny-tiny life + (fake) psychic skills = popularity. But when kids start disappearing and glowing creatures start showing up, Kick's theory quickly evaporates in a puff of foul-smelling swamp gas. Can Kick use her (real) science smarts to prove the curse is a hoax? Or is it just-maybe-sort of-somehow possible the curse is here?
Author Romily Bernard weaves a fast-paced middle-grade mystery filled with humor and scientific intrigue, set in a perfectly eerie Southern town.
Correction: home to 454 people, now that Kick Winter is living in the swamp Hollows with her Grandma Missouri, the town (fake) psychic. Bohring is anything but boring for Kick who has already blown a hole through the kitchen floor, befriended a chicken-eating gator, and discovered that the town's hundred-year curse is upon them.
It's the Bohring curse and all the kids are about to become monsters-or so the legend goes. People are worried-except for Kick. She knows there's a scientific explanation for everything, especially curses and monsters. But Kick is the new kid in school and she's determined to make a name for herself . . . by pretending to be psychic.
According to her calculations: one teeny-tiny life + (fake) psychic skills = popularity. But when kids start disappearing and glowing creatures start showing up, Kick's theory quickly evaporates in a puff of foul-smelling swamp gas. Can Kick use her (real) science smarts to prove the curse is a hoax? Or is it just-maybe-sort of-somehow possible the curse is here?
Author Romily Bernard weaves a fast-paced middle-grade mystery filled with humor and scientific intrigue, set in a perfectly eerie Southern town.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published December 19, 2019
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December 12, 201712/12/2017 Okay, so I haven't technically read the whole thing because I haven't written the whole thing, but seeing this on my author shelf made me giggle so I had to chime in. Really excited for this one, y'all. Haven't loved a heroine this hard since...well, probably ever.
January 16, 2020
The Monster Hypothesis follows Kick Winter as she attempts to find out the truth about a curse. This curse is said to turn all the kids who live in a city called Bohring in to monsters every one hundred years.
Kick parents are famous scientists who are on a business trip while this is happening. Her parents take her to Bohring to live with her grandmother. Her grandmother (called Grandma Missouri) is a psychic.
Grandma Missouri tells Kick about the curse. The curse was placed on the town many years ago by
a woman who was seeking revenge on the town. I cannot remember why she was seeking revenge and I can't find it in the book. Sorry♑︎.
Kick strongly does not believe in curses or pretty much anything supernatural, so she wants to figure out why everyone in Bohring thinks the curse is real.
People start getting more and more scared about the curse after some trouble causing twins disappear. After the twins disappear, a boy at Kick's school starts hearing voices and runs away from his desk.
One thing that I did not like is how the mayor was never busted. I fully expected him to be found out at some point, but he was never caught. Also, I kind of knew he was guilty of something from the start of the book.
I liked Carolina because she seemed to be more logical than anyone else in the book. She seemed to always know what was going on even if it made no sense to anyone else.
I loved the idea of having an alligator underneath my house. I would love to wake up everyday and feed an alligator.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It is a very fast read so I recommend this to anyone who has a few hours to spare. -Sam Kuntz
Kick parents are famous scientists who are on a business trip while this is happening. Her parents take her to Bohring to live with her grandmother. Her grandmother (called Grandma Missouri) is a psychic.
Grandma Missouri tells Kick about the curse. The curse was placed on the town many years ago by
a woman who was seeking revenge on the town. I cannot remember why she was seeking revenge and I can't find it in the book. Sorry♑︎.
Kick strongly does not believe in curses or pretty much anything supernatural, so she wants to figure out why everyone in Bohring thinks the curse is real.
People start getting more and more scared about the curse after some trouble causing twins disappear. After the twins disappear, a boy at Kick's school starts hearing voices and runs away from his desk.
One thing that I did not like is how the mayor was never busted. I fully expected him to be found out at some point, but he was never caught. Also, I kind of knew he was guilty of something from the start of the book.
I liked Carolina because she seemed to be more logical than anyone else in the book. She seemed to always know what was going on even if it made no sense to anyone else.
I loved the idea of having an alligator underneath my house. I would love to wake up everyday and feed an alligator.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It is a very fast read so I recommend this to anyone who has a few hours to spare. -Sam Kuntz
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2023
3.5 stars. I think some of my fourth graders would enjoy this scientific mystery. But the ending reminded me of a Scooby-Doo episode with the villain saying “I would’ve gotten away with it, if it weren’t for those darn kids!” I really liked the friendship between Kick and Carolina. It was fun to watch that develop.
This was a part of a Once Upon a Book Club with surprises that tied in. It was a fun experience and kids would love it.
This was a part of a Once Upon a Book Club with surprises that tied in. It was a fun experience and kids would love it.
December 8, 2019
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS is a really fun middle grade investigative mystery. Kick is living with her grandmother, a fake psychic who has taught her how to trick people, while her parents, who are scientists, are off doing important things. Kick is a little anxious about starting the new school and wants to be a scientist herself. When she starts school and encounters some mean girls, she ends up telling her classmates that she is a psychic like her grandmother.
The problem is that now people expect her to help save them from the curse that plagues their small town- a curse that Kick certainly does not believe in that says a witch cursed the town that every 100 years, their children would all turn into monsters. However, when the clues start appearing and indicate that the curse might be real, Kick is left to fight against the fake facts while also protecting the secret that she is not a psychic. Accompanied by her cousin and budding friend, Carolina, they will try to create and test hypotheses about this monster curse.
What I loved: I always adore stories which feature characters, especially girls, who are STEM-oriented and use these tools in fun ways. This was no exception, and it was so cool to watch Kick investigate and form hypotheses. There are also some really fantastic messages about being true to yourself and seeking out friendships with people who respect you for who you are. The mystery and intrigue is just icing on the cake, making this a fast and devourable book overall. I would happily read a whole series featuring these characters and this intriguing location.
Final verdict: THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS is a highly devourable, clever, and downright delightful book that combines STEM, curses, and fantastic messages into a page-turning middle grade read. Highly recommend for mystery readers in this age range.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS is a really fun middle grade investigative mystery. Kick is living with her grandmother, a fake psychic who has taught her how to trick people, while her parents, who are scientists, are off doing important things. Kick is a little anxious about starting the new school and wants to be a scientist herself. When she starts school and encounters some mean girls, she ends up telling her classmates that she is a psychic like her grandmother.
The problem is that now people expect her to help save them from the curse that plagues their small town- a curse that Kick certainly does not believe in that says a witch cursed the town that every 100 years, their children would all turn into monsters. However, when the clues start appearing and indicate that the curse might be real, Kick is left to fight against the fake facts while also protecting the secret that she is not a psychic. Accompanied by her cousin and budding friend, Carolina, they will try to create and test hypotheses about this monster curse.
What I loved: I always adore stories which feature characters, especially girls, who are STEM-oriented and use these tools in fun ways. This was no exception, and it was so cool to watch Kick investigate and form hypotheses. There are also some really fantastic messages about being true to yourself and seeking out friendships with people who respect you for who you are. The mystery and intrigue is just icing on the cake, making this a fast and devourable book overall. I would happily read a whole series featuring these characters and this intriguing location.
Final verdict: THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS is a highly devourable, clever, and downright delightful book that combines STEM, curses, and fantastic messages into a page-turning middle grade read. Highly recommend for mystery readers in this age range.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 15, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book from Disney. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Romily Bernard
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 10+ (science and mystery! Some scary moments with missing kids)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Welcome to Bohring-home to 453 people, 2,053 alligators, and one monster curse.
Correction: home to 454 people, now that Kick Winter is living in the swamp Hollows with her Grandma Missouri, the town (fake) psychic. Bohring is anything but boring for Kick who has already blown a hole through the kitchen floor, befriended a chicken-eating gator, and discovered that the town's hundred-year curse is upon them.
It's the Bohring curse and all the kids are about to become monsters-or so the legend goes. People are worried-except for Kick. She knows there's a scientific explanation for everything, especially curses and monsters. But Kick is the new kid in school and she's determined to make a name for herself . . . by pretending to be psychic.
According to her calculations: one teeny-tiny life + (fake) psychic skills = popularity. But when kids start disappearing and glowing creatures start showing up, Kick's theory quickly evaporates in a puff of foul-smelling swamp gas. Can Kick use her (real) science smarts to prove the curse is a hoax? Or is it just-maybe-sort of-somehow possible the curse is here?
Review: This was a really fun book! I loved the character development of Kick and Carolina, I loved seeing that Kick, who’s our main character, had a love for science, in a day and age where we still need more women in STEM programs, and I loved the story. It was a fun mystery filled with scientific explanations and even for a middle grade book the writing and explanation of the science was very well described. The book also features Kick’s experiment book in the back and it tells kids how to do some of science experiments. Definitely recommend for any middle grader.
The book didn’t really have an issue, but I would like to see more of this book in a series. I think that this could be greatly expanded and it can help younger girls and boys alike get more into science and history.
Verdict: A definite must read for your little ones and for you older ones too! Never too old to learn science!
Author: Romily Bernard
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 10+ (science and mystery! Some scary moments with missing kids)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Welcome to Bohring-home to 453 people, 2,053 alligators, and one monster curse.
Correction: home to 454 people, now that Kick Winter is living in the swamp Hollows with her Grandma Missouri, the town (fake) psychic. Bohring is anything but boring for Kick who has already blown a hole through the kitchen floor, befriended a chicken-eating gator, and discovered that the town's hundred-year curse is upon them.
It's the Bohring curse and all the kids are about to become monsters-or so the legend goes. People are worried-except for Kick. She knows there's a scientific explanation for everything, especially curses and monsters. But Kick is the new kid in school and she's determined to make a name for herself . . . by pretending to be psychic.
According to her calculations: one teeny-tiny life + (fake) psychic skills = popularity. But when kids start disappearing and glowing creatures start showing up, Kick's theory quickly evaporates in a puff of foul-smelling swamp gas. Can Kick use her (real) science smarts to prove the curse is a hoax? Or is it just-maybe-sort of-somehow possible the curse is here?
Review: This was a really fun book! I loved the character development of Kick and Carolina, I loved seeing that Kick, who’s our main character, had a love for science, in a day and age where we still need more women in STEM programs, and I loved the story. It was a fun mystery filled with scientific explanations and even for a middle grade book the writing and explanation of the science was very well described. The book also features Kick’s experiment book in the back and it tells kids how to do some of science experiments. Definitely recommend for any middle grader.
The book didn’t really have an issue, but I would like to see more of this book in a series. I think that this could be greatly expanded and it can help younger girls and boys alike get more into science and history.
Verdict: A definite must read for your little ones and for you older ones too! Never too old to learn science!
December 13, 2019
The Monster Hypothesis is a middle grade mystery by author Romily Bernard. I really enjoyed this book. I don't read many middle grade stories anymore, and the ones that I do I am very picky with. This one pleasantly pleased me. It was fun, interactive and engaging. I think this would be an excellent book for younger readers to pick up as they move into the middle grade age group, and I think the story is well done enough that it will capture and hold the attention of older readers as well. Based on my enjoyment of the Monster Hypothesis, I can't wait to read more books from Romily Bernard.
In The Monster Hypothesis, we meet our main character Kick. Kick is on a mission to prove that the monstrous curse that plagues her town is nothing but a hoax. I enjoyed Kick. She is smart, feisty, adventurous, scientific and logical and was a fun characters to lead the readers on her adventure. I loved the scientific voice and reason that Kick brings with her as she tries to debunk the curse. And the atmosphere of the book was absolutely perfect. It is set in a swamp town, one where I could very easily picture as teeming with all kinds of monsters and creatures. Romily Bernard did a fantastic job making this book feel spooky at times, and the rich descriptions brought the swamp town to life.
The combination of Science with the supernatural element of psychics (fake or not) and monsters was a really fun combination. I had a blast with The Monster Hypothesis. The characters were strong, the plot/adventure was a ton of fun and the world was very engaging. I think this book will be a hit with readers of all ages. Not to mention the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I absolutely loved "solving" it!
In The Monster Hypothesis, we meet our main character Kick. Kick is on a mission to prove that the monstrous curse that plagues her town is nothing but a hoax. I enjoyed Kick. She is smart, feisty, adventurous, scientific and logical and was a fun characters to lead the readers on her adventure. I loved the scientific voice and reason that Kick brings with her as she tries to debunk the curse. And the atmosphere of the book was absolutely perfect. It is set in a swamp town, one where I could very easily picture as teeming with all kinds of monsters and creatures. Romily Bernard did a fantastic job making this book feel spooky at times, and the rich descriptions brought the swamp town to life.
The combination of Science with the supernatural element of psychics (fake or not) and monsters was a really fun combination. I had a blast with The Monster Hypothesis. The characters were strong, the plot/adventure was a ton of fun and the world was very engaging. I think this book will be a hit with readers of all ages. Not to mention the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I absolutely loved "solving" it!
December 11, 2019
The Monster Hypothesis is a story with something to appeal both to kids and the parents who read to them: monsters, swamps, STEM, curses, a fake psychic, a pet alligator, glowing slime and explosions. The engaging plot moves fast, and the heroine is a likable, well developed, real kid. One who can’t leave a mystery unsolved, and who understands what it means to be the new, smart kid who just doesn’t fit in. Every kid will relate to Kick’s longing to be part of a group and every parent will remember lessons learned in their own childhood. A fun read with bonus experiments.
June 15, 2023
Read this to my daughter at bedtime. It was cute! We both enjoyed it!
February 15, 2024
So good loved it,I recommend this book
November 1, 2019
This was such a fun ride! THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS follows our heroine, Kick, as she tries to prove a monstrous curse is nothing but a hoax - whilst avoiding becoming a target at her new school.
Without a doubt, the strongest part of this book was the VOICE. It's hilarious and whip-smart, never 'dumbing down' for a middle grade audience. Kick has just the right amount of rule-breaking slyness, combined with the more familiar yearnings of fitting in. I adored her. I also adored her relationship to cousin Carolina, the frilly-dress wearing girl with depths of her own.
The mystery, too, is cleverly plotted (and occasionally genuinely creepy!) I loved the atmosphere of this seething swamp town, fake psychics and all. The best mysteries are unpredictable whilst still allowing for the reader to make their own guesses, and I think MG audiences will find this book fits the bill.
My only real critique is that occasionally, the story did seem to approach too-familiar territory. Perhaps it's because the last MG I read also involved a hyper-scientific girl trying to solve a mystery + navigate middle school (THE BOX OF BONES) but I did crave a little more freshness. Still, this is a highly personal factor, and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS to fans of spooky contemporary mysteries. Kick's experiment recipes are even included in the back! 4/5.
Without a doubt, the strongest part of this book was the VOICE. It's hilarious and whip-smart, never 'dumbing down' for a middle grade audience. Kick has just the right amount of rule-breaking slyness, combined with the more familiar yearnings of fitting in. I adored her. I also adored her relationship to cousin Carolina, the frilly-dress wearing girl with depths of her own.
The mystery, too, is cleverly plotted (and occasionally genuinely creepy!) I loved the atmosphere of this seething swamp town, fake psychics and all. The best mysteries are unpredictable whilst still allowing for the reader to make their own guesses, and I think MG audiences will find this book fits the bill.
My only real critique is that occasionally, the story did seem to approach too-familiar territory. Perhaps it's because the last MG I read also involved a hyper-scientific girl trying to solve a mystery + navigate middle school (THE BOX OF BONES) but I did crave a little more freshness. Still, this is a highly personal factor, and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS to fans of spooky contemporary mysteries. Kick's experiment recipes are even included in the back! 4/5.
February 2, 2020
My name is Kick, and science is not something other kids in Bohring like. It's hard being the new kid wearing overalls, but I took a hint from Grandma Missouri. I got the kids to believe I'm a psychic, just like Grandma. I think it's silly people believe a crazy curse has returned that says kids will become monsters every hundred years. However, I can't explain the strange odor I smelled in the forest, the glowing shapes I saw, or the growling I heard. Plus, there's the disappearance of the two boys I saw running from the green lights. The sheriff is leading searches for them, and the mayor says he'll take care of everything. I know living in the Hollows surrounded by swamps adds to the mystery, but I still believe there must be some logical explanation. I'm a scientist, and I'll treat this like an experiment to find the answers.
I randomly chose this book from my library's new-book shelf. It's one of those books that keeps you wondering if the events are due to natural causes or magic. That's the question Kick researches throughout the plot. She doesn't believe in magic and curses, so she tries to disprove them using the scientific method. She develops hypotheses and figures out ways to test them. Lovers of scientific knowledge will be able to identify with her. Ironically, Kick pretends to have psychic visions when it suits her purposes. How else are you supposed to announce your findings without incriminating yourself. Kick's grandmother believes her own fake psychic readings serve a purpose for the community, and her steady business confirms that. The alligator living under the house adds an amusing twist, while three dress-alike girls are minor antagonists. The absence of Kick's parents creates a conflict for her character. This book tells a cute story of a young girl feeling out of place in the bayou. It reads like a mystery, as Kick tries to figure out the truth behind the town curse. Overall, I enjoyed the book and think it will appeal to the right audience. I'm not certain, but it might become a series.
I randomly chose this book from my library's new-book shelf. It's one of those books that keeps you wondering if the events are due to natural causes or magic. That's the question Kick researches throughout the plot. She doesn't believe in magic and curses, so she tries to disprove them using the scientific method. She develops hypotheses and figures out ways to test them. Lovers of scientific knowledge will be able to identify with her. Ironically, Kick pretends to have psychic visions when it suits her purposes. How else are you supposed to announce your findings without incriminating yourself. Kick's grandmother believes her own fake psychic readings serve a purpose for the community, and her steady business confirms that. The alligator living under the house adds an amusing twist, while three dress-alike girls are minor antagonists. The absence of Kick's parents creates a conflict for her character. This book tells a cute story of a young girl feeling out of place in the bayou. It reads like a mystery, as Kick tries to figure out the truth behind the town curse. Overall, I enjoyed the book and think it will appeal to the right audience. I'm not certain, but it might become a series.
December 20, 2019
What I Loved: The main character Kick is EVERYTHING! She is adorable and funny and full of energy and smarts! I loved her adventure and was so glad she was written the way she was. She is the perfect example of being who you really are.
How I Felt: The Monster Hypothesis has such a fun story that had me so interested in the story. The main character, Kick is into science and I really loved how that was woven into the story. We always need more science in our children’s lives and this book makes science so fun!
To Read or Not To Read: This book is perfect for middle graders that enjoy a little bit of spooky and mystery! My third grader can’t wait to start this one!
What's This Book About Anyway?
Kick is starting a new school in a new town while she temporarily moves in with her grandmother, a fake psychic. After a trio of mean girls set their targets on her, she tells everyone that she is a psychic like her grandmother.
With her newly exposed (and fake) abilities, people turn to her to help with the town’s curse. Every 100 years, the town’s children will turn into monsters. Believing this curse to be fake, she tries to figure out this mystery. The clues, though, begin to make it look like this curse might actually be real. Using her science knowledge and her friend’s help, she creates theories and tests them to figure out this curse.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my honest, unbiased review voluntarily.
This book will post on my blog on 12/23/19. All of my reviews can be found at: https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
How I Felt: The Monster Hypothesis has such a fun story that had me so interested in the story. The main character, Kick is into science and I really loved how that was woven into the story. We always need more science in our children’s lives and this book makes science so fun!
To Read or Not To Read: This book is perfect for middle graders that enjoy a little bit of spooky and mystery! My third grader can’t wait to start this one!
What's This Book About Anyway?
Kick is starting a new school in a new town while she temporarily moves in with her grandmother, a fake psychic. After a trio of mean girls set their targets on her, she tells everyone that she is a psychic like her grandmother.
With her newly exposed (and fake) abilities, people turn to her to help with the town’s curse. Every 100 years, the town’s children will turn into monsters. Believing this curse to be fake, she tries to figure out this mystery. The clues, though, begin to make it look like this curse might actually be real. Using her science knowledge and her friend’s help, she creates theories and tests them to figure out this curse.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my honest, unbiased review voluntarily.
This book will post on my blog on 12/23/19. All of my reviews can be found at: https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
December 12, 2019
Received an ARC for review.
This was a fun little mystery/suspense read. I loved the scientific aspect to this story. I felt like I was back in a chemistry class -- it was awesome. The writing was good, the characters were all unique, the pacing was great.
Kick is the new girl in Bohring. She lives in the swamps with her grandmother, the infamous psychic and she's trying to fit in. Kick was such an awesome character for me. She was determined to prove that everything had a scientific explanation. She was intelligent, hardworking, never gave up, sweet and downright funny. I found myself loving her more than the story itself.
Grandma Missouri was funny. She was sweet, she played psychic and was down to earth. She was great at reading people and giving them answers. She supported Kick and loved her town. Carolina, Kick's cousin, was annoying at first, but as the story progressed I began to love her. She was such a useful character to Kick's growth.
Finding out the secret behind the curse was INSANE. I would not have expected that at all. Finding out who the culprit was killed me in a great way. Especially since there was more than one, but only one got caught.
Definitely enjoyed it and would totally recommend it!
This was a fun little mystery/suspense read. I loved the scientific aspect to this story. I felt like I was back in a chemistry class -- it was awesome. The writing was good, the characters were all unique, the pacing was great.
Kick is the new girl in Bohring. She lives in the swamps with her grandmother, the infamous psychic and she's trying to fit in. Kick was such an awesome character for me. She was determined to prove that everything had a scientific explanation. She was intelligent, hardworking, never gave up, sweet and downright funny. I found myself loving her more than the story itself.
Grandma Missouri was funny. She was sweet, she played psychic and was down to earth. She was great at reading people and giving them answers. She supported Kick and loved her town. Carolina, Kick's cousin, was annoying at first, but as the story progressed I began to love her. She was such a useful character to Kick's growth.
Finding out the secret behind the curse was INSANE. I would not have expected that at all. Finding out who the culprit was killed me in a great way. Especially since there was more than one, but only one got caught.
Definitely enjoyed it and would totally recommend it!
December 17, 2019
loved this book from the very beginning. I was immediately sucked into Kicks world where anything can be an experiment, her grandmother is a fake psychic and in trying to find new friends she decides to use her grandmothers teachings to claim her psychic abilities.
Now the whole town scared of a 100 year old curse that would turn all the children in the town into Monsters may be coming true and the Mayor and the kids all look to Kick and her Grandmother to help break the curse.
This is a fast paced book with great characters - even Figgis the alligator who lives under Kicks house in the swamp and eats rotten chicken breasts has a personality! This book reminds you what its like to want to fit in, to be the new kid and desperate to find friends. Even the Jenna's remind me of Mean girls with their matching outfits and sassy attitudes. Kick is witty and resourceful and while her experiments could benefit from her reading instructions they are inventive and fascinating even when she winds up blowing a hole through the kitchen floor!
If you want a fun ride with great characters this book has it all.
Thanks to Rockstar Tours and Disney for getting me a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Now the whole town scared of a 100 year old curse that would turn all the children in the town into Monsters may be coming true and the Mayor and the kids all look to Kick and her Grandmother to help break the curse.
This is a fast paced book with great characters - even Figgis the alligator who lives under Kicks house in the swamp and eats rotten chicken breasts has a personality! This book reminds you what its like to want to fit in, to be the new kid and desperate to find friends. Even the Jenna's remind me of Mean girls with their matching outfits and sassy attitudes. Kick is witty and resourceful and while her experiments could benefit from her reading instructions they are inventive and fascinating even when she winds up blowing a hole through the kitchen floor!
If you want a fun ride with great characters this book has it all.
Thanks to Rockstar Tours and Disney for getting me a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2019
The town of Bohring is home to more alligators than people. It is also the hometown of a monster curse where kids turn into monsters. Kick Winter is living in the Hollows swamp with her fake psychic grandmother Missouri. Kick is having a hard time making new friends and finding the space to do her scientific experiments.
Kick recently discovered that the town's curse of turning kids into monsters is happening. The townspeople are worried but, Kick knows there has to be a scientific explanation for everything. She doesn't believe in curses or monsters. As the new kid, she's determined to prove there is no curse, even if it means becoming a fake psychic.
The novel was a fun read with outlandish characters such as a chicken loving gator. I liked that the main character tries to use logic and science to solve the monster mystery. I enjoyed the messages of friendship, being true to yourself, believing in yourself and doing the right thing. The book is an enjoyable read for middle schoolers who loves mystery novels.
December 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this—everything from the swampy Southern atmosphere to the character names to the surprise (to me; it may even have been stated elsewhere) that it turned out to be a small-town mystery involving bioluminescence and other STEAM-y things. It had echoes of a higher-tech, more sophisticated Scooby-Doo, and slighter echoes of Three Times Lucky (Southern, mysterious, relationship between Kick and the adults in her life, unconventional names—but without TTL’s humor). Kirkus’s review said it plodded, but I didn’t feel that way—though the emphasis on the “Jennas” at the beginning at school (think “Heathers” if you’re of a certain age) seemed a little less important than the attention it was given; there was no resolution that brought the Jennas back towards the end of the book—they kind of disappeared. I have a Mysteries book list for kids at the library and will pop this on it to promote its discovery, as well as ‘handselling’ it in book talks to the right kids. It’s not a must-read, but it’s a good read.
Reviewed from digital arc acquired via #netgalley
Reviewed from digital arc acquired via #netgalley
February 17, 2024
This was a cute story about a 'misfit' girl named Kick Winter, who is staying with her grandma, Missouri (yes that's her name), who lives in a swamp with alligators. The town is called Bohring....and it is supposedly very BORING (get it!!) except for this year, when the 'curse' is supposed to come to bare...a monster that comes out of the swamp to snatch children.
Kick is a smart, witty, and very logical kid. She loves to do scientific experiments, one that actually blows a hole in the ground of the house she is living in with grandma. Loving science, Kick knows in her heart there is no 'curse'. There has to be a scientific explanation for kids disappearing and she is going to find out.
Her grandma is a fake psychic (hilarious) and Kick uses that 'skill' to try to win friends and also try to figure out the curse.
What was behind the curse was a little far fetched, but hey, it's a fun story and Kick was a cute character. So I can't really say it was awful. I was fully engaged and it was a quick read.
Kick is a smart, witty, and very logical kid. She loves to do scientific experiments, one that actually blows a hole in the ground of the house she is living in with grandma. Loving science, Kick knows in her heart there is no 'curse'. There has to be a scientific explanation for kids disappearing and she is going to find out.
Her grandma is a fake psychic (hilarious) and Kick uses that 'skill' to try to win friends and also try to figure out the curse.
What was behind the curse was a little far fetched, but hey, it's a fun story and Kick was a cute character. So I can't really say it was awful. I was fully engaged and it was a quick read.
March 20, 2020
“Anyway,’ her uncle added, hoisting the bags of groceries into his arms, ‘whether we believe in the curse or not is immaterial. Everyone else believes in the curse, and they’d rather blame that than admit something more logical–and maybe even more dangerous–is happening.”
campy and charming. this was a really sweet, enjoyable book with some great messages for its intended audience about science, family, and friendship. it gave me scooby doo vibes in a way, but also southern gothic vibes? not totally sure where this was set but for some reason i feel like it's in the south. the writing was really evocative and the story was a little ridiculous but very earnest and very fun. i loved kick and her entire family, especially grandma missouri (a queen, an icon, a legend) and carolina. it was just a really fun time and def something i needed what with everything going on in the world right now.
campy and charming. this was a really sweet, enjoyable book with some great messages for its intended audience about science, family, and friendship. it gave me scooby doo vibes in a way, but also southern gothic vibes? not totally sure where this was set but for some reason i feel like it's in the south. the writing was really evocative and the story was a little ridiculous but very earnest and very fun. i loved kick and her entire family, especially grandma missouri (a queen, an icon, a legend) and carolina. it was just a really fun time and def something i needed what with everything going on in the world right now.
July 2, 2020
4.5 stars
fun read! i really liked the main character being so rambunctious and messy and also struggling with her feelings of social isolation and also her love of science and realizing that you have to be careful with certain kinds of knowledge. there were also a lot of good quality jokes in this book :)
fun read! i really liked the main character being so rambunctious and messy and also struggling with her feelings of social isolation and also her love of science and realizing that you have to be careful with certain kinds of knowledge. there were also a lot of good quality jokes in this book :)
January 16, 2020
Great read for upper elementary. Ultimate message I feel is believe in yourself.
January 17, 2020
Cute middle grade mystery set in a small swampy town that seems too have way too many scientists.
March 30, 2020
A skeptic finds herself caught up in paranormal shenanigans rollicking in this rollicking, atmospheric STEM mystery.
April 5, 2020
Who doesn’t want to read about 12 year olds debunking myths and mysteries with science?
(I��m serious. Kick Winter would have been 12 year old me’s favourite book character.)
(I��m serious. Kick Winter would have been 12 year old me’s favourite book character.)
December 3, 2022
This book was so much fun to read! The ending was shocking and there are so many obstacles gone through to finally figure everything out. Would definitely recommend!
August 31, 2023
I liked reading this story with Emmalyn. It's cute!
December 3, 2023
I read this at the recommendation of my 8 year old. It was pretty fun, even if I disapprove of what they did with the character that shares my profession.
April 18, 2023
A good book for kids and young adults. A story of a girl who loves science and experiments, has to stay with her psychic grandmother in the swamps. A pet crocodile, a 100 year old curse, and a mystery are all included in this book. Kick just wants friends, but to fit in, she will need to prove there is no such thing as a curse. For kids who are having a hard time at a new school, or making friends, this book is for you.
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