The Trolls Will Feast!

January 15, 2016
A group of smart misfits unearths a smelly supernatural threat that stands to destroy their entire town. Something stinks in Pumpkins County, quite literally. In addition to the malodorous malady, two kids have gone missing. The racially and ethnically diverse Creeps--Carol, the computer whiz; Mitchell, the monster expert; Rosario, the compact couturier; and Jarvis, the invention-meister--know that something otherworldly must be afoot. They soon discover that a band of invisible (and very stinky) trolls who feed on stressed-out people are planning to feast upon their entire town and all its residents. They team up with a seasoned troll hunter and his prized secret weapon--illicit aerosol deodorant--only to have their arsenal seized in the name of protecting the environment. Will they be able to foil an entire tribe of hungry trolls before it feasts? Schweizer's pacing excels, and his worldbuilding is a clever delight, making for a boisterous narrative smartly depicted in comic format. Labeled a band of misfits, the Creeps may save the day, but they're still trying to find acceptance in the social strata of their school; not even saving the town automatically earns them popularity. Schweizer also imbues this sequel to Night of the Frankenfrogs (2015) with sly jabs at social media and people's willingness to believe anything they read online, giving his engagingly silly tale a dash of cultural relevance. No slump here; a satisfying and rollicking sophomore offering that improves on the first. (Graphic science fiction/humor. 7-12)

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February 1, 2016

Gr 3-6 -Carol, Mitchell, Jarvis & Rosario, better known as "The Creeps," have a way of finding trouble no matter where they go. This time they encounter an invisible (to many) troll bent on eating everyone in Pumpkins County. Each member of "The Creeps" has their own unique talent and is well used in their fight against the monsters out to destroy their town. Along the way, they meet an old grizzled troll hunter who is seeks revenge on the one Troll that got away and gives them the skills they need to hopefully get rid of this threat. Schweizer's graphic novel series continues with even more humor and monster action than the previous installment. His comic illustrations are the perfect match for the tone of the story and the small panels pack a lot of punch. The diverse cast of characters and the pervading theme of embracing who you are, not what others want you to be is something that many young readers will be able to relate to. No prior knowledge of their last adventure is necessary to enjoy this exuberant time with "The Creeps." This is one of the better graphic novel series currently out there for young audiences.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2016
Grades 3-5 The Creepshacker Carol, monster-expert Mitchell, gadgeteer Jarvis, and superstrong fashionista Rosariostumble upon a new case when something grabs Jarvis and chomps on his helmet. They learn that trollsglobby, tusked creatures with rapacious appetiteshave come to town intending to feast on humans. On top of that, social media has gone crazy, sending out misinformation and alarmist messages that send stress levels very high. Since the trolls can remain invisible to most people, the only person who believes the Creeps is Josh Brogglin, who has a long-standing score to settle with the trolls. This second book in the Creeps series is just as wacky, spooky, icky, and fun as the first, and Schweizer's colorful art makes the monsters just scary and creepy enough to thrill young readers. Despite the relatively small size of the book, the panels include lots of detail without looking crowded. Thanks to the mixed-gender band of heroes at it heart, this will appeal to a wide range of young readers hungry for horror-lite monster stories.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2016
Pumpkins County residents are super-stressed lately (social-media gossip isn't helping), and the Creeps think a people-eating troll clan is behind it. With the help of a troll fighter, the misfit crime-solving team tries to stop the monsters from eating townspeople. This graphic novel's unrelenting continuous narrative will test some readers' stamina, but several panels per page provide tons of details and strong comedic phrasing.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)