Skip to main content

Tween Tuesday: The Creature From My Closet: Wonkenstein by Obert Skye

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Humor

Release Date: 9/27/2011

Add to Goodreads

About the Book: Rob never cleans his closet. Instead he tosses random junk and the books his mom gives him to read all into his closet. He even thinks that the beared man on his doorknob is a little weird, so he'd rather not think about his closet at all. Until one day a strange creature appears from the closet-it's Wonkenstein-half Willy Wonka, half Frankenstein. Rob needs to figure out a way to get the creature back where it belongs-and he might just discover reading along the way.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Author Obert Skye recently visited a local middle school and he obviously made an impression on the students because they have been asking for this series non-stop! I decided I had to see what all the talk was about.

The Creature From My Closet: Wonkenstein is a great start to a hilarious new series that is perfect for readers who love humor and illustrations (ala Wimpy Kid style) infused in their books. Poor Rob is just trying to get the creature back but he keeps encountering disinterested friends, strange neighbors, and Winkenstein keeps embarassing Rob in front of the girl he just might sort of be interested in.

There were several moments throughout the book that made me laugh out loud. I especially loved the middle school principal and his odd band and funny song lyrics. And of course, I loved the fact that the book ties in reading and books in a very clever way. The tween voice is spot on, the angst of middle school drama just right, and the humor perfect for all ages.

I did think that at times the illustrations were added just to add in an illustration, but it's a format that gets tweens reading, so I was able to overlook it easily enough. I also had a hard time keeping Rob's friends apart, but that's pretty minor and didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

Perfect for fans of Diary of A Wimpy Kid, there's more fun to come with a second book in the series, Potterwookie. My library tweens have loved this series and I think it's a book that you could hand to any tween (or parent) and they'd get a kick out of it.

Book Pairings: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, Herbert's Wormhole by Peter Nelson and Rohitash Rao, Tales of a Sixth Grade Muppet by Kirk Scroggs

Full Disclosure: Checked out from my local library

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 5/5 Stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Release Date: 2/26/2013 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Eleanor and Park are both misfits. When new girl Eleanor sits next to Park on the bus, they don't want anything to do with each other. But over the course of the school year, things change. It starts with comic books and becomes a friendship and a romance that the two will never forget. You never forget your first love. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Have you ever had a book sit on your shelf that you've heard so much hype about? And you think that books sounds like it would be right up your alley, but you're in a reading slump and you're afraid to give it a try unless it fails? I knew Eleanor and Park sounded like my perfect book, but I was in such an after committee slump that I even though I knew this book would help, I just didn't want to be disappointed. I should have known better because Eleanor and Park was perfect and everything that I had hoped it wou

Contact Me

  I love to hear from fellow readers and librarians! Send me an email to say hello! You can reach me at greenbeanteenqueen (at) gmail (dot) com

About Me

Hello! My name is Sarah and I am a Youth Services Manager who works with kids, tweens and teens. I love being asked about great books to read! I started my blog in 2008 as a way to keep track of what I've been reading and to use a reference tool for reader's advisory and it's grown into much more than I could have ever anticipated. In addition to book reviews, I also enjoy posting audiobook reviews, booklists and my adventures in being a librarian. 2017 Library Journal Mover and Shaker Committees: 2021 Newbery Committee 2018 Odyssey Committee 2016 Caldecott Award 2013 Michael L. Printz Committee- Fabulous Films Committee I have also served on the Cybils, Missouri State Library Association Readers Selection Lists, and as an Audies judge. Presentations :  I have offered various presentations at local, state and national libraries and conferences. Topics have included:  What's New in Children's & Teen Literature Engaging Teens in Reader's Advisory Gee