The Monster Squad

By Joe McGee and Ethan Long

Get to know the Junior Monster Scouts in this first book in a brand-new chapter book series that’s perfect for fans of Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol and Hotel Transylvania!

Wolfy, Franky, and Vampyra—the children of the classic monsters—are Junior Monster Scouts. And even though ‘monster’ is their middle name, these funny fiends just want to help anybody in need, earn their Junior Monster Scout merit badges, and make friends. But, their good deeds are always foiled by Baron Von Grump, a cranky schemer who doesn’t like noise, doesn’t like kids, and most of all doesn’t like the Junior Monster Scouts.

Peter Piper’s kitten Shadow is lost deep in The Gloomy Forest, and the Scouts want to help their new friend. But today is also the Village Cheese Festival and all of the celebrating has Baron Von Grump at wits’ end. How can he play his violin in peace if the villagers are making such a racket? He hatches a cheesy plan that involves huge and hungry rats! Uh-oh! Can the Scouts save the cats, the rats, and the day?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aladdin
• Release date: Sep 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781534436787

Joe McGee

Joe McGee loves to write about monsters and magic and other strange, curious, and quirky things. He grew up with his nose in a book and his imagination exploring other worlds. He knew when he was ten years old that one day he would grow up to be an author! He has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and a master of arts in writing from Rowan University. He is a former Army officer and lives in a New Jersey river with his wife, Jessica Rinker (also a children’s author), and their two dogs, Pepper and Odin. Visit JoeMcGeeAuthor.com to learn more about Joe and his books.

Book preview

Cover: The Monster Squad, by Joe McGee, illustrated by Ethan Long

FOR JESSICA

****

I will not let you go into

the unknown alone.

-Bram Stoker

• THE SCOUTS •

VAMPYRA may be a vampire, but that doesn’t mean she wants your blood. Gross! In fact, she doesn’t even like ketchup! She loves gymnastics, especially cartwheels, and one of her favorite things is hanging upside down . . . even when she’s not a bat. She loves garlic in her food and sleeps in past noon, preferring the nighttime over the day. She lives in Castle Dracula with her mom, dad (Dracula), and aunts, who are always after her to brush her fangs and clean her cape.

WOLFY and his family live high in the mountains above Castle Dracula, where they can get the best view of the moon. He likes to hike and play in the creek and gaze at the stars. He especially likes to fetch sticks with his dad, Wolf Man, and go on family pack runs, even if he has to put up with all of his little brothers and sisters. They’re always howling when he tries to talk! Mom says he has his father’s fur. Boy, is he proud of that!

FRANKY STEIN has always been bigger than the other monsters. But it’s not just his body that’s big. It’s his brain and his heart as well. He has plenty of hugs and smiles to go around. His dad, Frankenstein, is the scoutmaster, and one of Franky’s favorite things is his well-worn Junior Monster Scout handbook. One day Franky is going to be a scoutmaster, like his dad. But for now . . . he wants a puppy. Dad says he’ll make Franky one soon. Mom says Franky has to keep his workshop clean for a week first.

CHAPTER

1

WOLFY TOOK A DEEP BREATH. He looked to the sky. He leaned way back and let out the biggest, longest, loudest howl he could. It was a very good howl. It was such a good howl that it went right past the forest, over the covered bridge, through the village, and all the way to the Old Windmill.

That was a good one! said Franky Stein.

I’ll bet they could hear that howl all the way back at the castle! said Vampyra.

Thanks! said Wolfy. He was very

Reviews for The Monster Squad

[sheila1957 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Frankie, Vampyra, and Wolfie are Junior Monster Scouts. There is trouble in town with an infestation of rats ruining their cheese festival. The townies are moving out and Peter, a young from town, is afraid of the Junior Monster Scouts but they show him otherwise by saving him. He then saves the town. And Dracula gets a bunch of rats in his basement.I loved this book. It's a great set-up for the series. The kids are great. I love that they have a pledge to help others. And how cool is it to have Frankenstein as your scout master. I cannot wait to read more of these guys.