Measle and the Wrathmonk

Rating:
Summary: A Dash of Action, a Pinch of Fantasy....
Review: Any 4-6 grader who loves action and/or fantasy will love this book! Ogilvy writes an exciting story encompassing everything from a tortured orphan to a bat-like beast, from a mysterious train set to a giant cocroach, and thrilling chase scenes to tunneling through a table! It is highly imaginative, and his excellent understanding of action pushes the reader through the well written scenes with little effort. Aside from a slightly contrived twist at the end, this is a well written and easily read book for any young person.

Rating:
Summary: Good fun with positive message
Review: I reluctantly started reading this book to my not-quite-eight-year-old son at the suggestion of a friend. I worried it might be too dark for him, but rather, he loves it. And I do, too.

The story is riveting and the writing, superb. We read two or three chapters at a time, because we just can't put it down.

The best part is the positive spin on the lead character, Measle, who, though just a boy, comes up with a plan that saves the day. It's a great message for my son, and great fun for me to watch him so engaged in a story without pictures.

Rating:
Summary: Measle not only entertains, it also has wonderful imagery
Review: Measle and the Wrathmonk is one of the most interesting books our family has read in a long time. The imagery of the house that Measle inhabits is so vivid, as are all of the characters, including the adorable dog, Tinker. It is such a delight to find a book that peaks your curiosity, and allows your imagination to get flowing once again! We can't wait for the next adventure of Measle to begin!

Rating:
Summary: A fun little book with the right amount of scary
Review: Why is Measle Stubbs so afraid of his guardian, Basil Tramplebone? Is it his slithering, hissing way? Might it be those pointed, yellow teeth? Probably most ten-year-old boys would not be happy living in the shadow of the strange and frightening Basil. But Measle has no choice, as he is an orphan and must now live miserably in his guardian's dark, cold house. The one nice thing is the room at the top of the house that contains a most marvelous train set. Sometimes, when Basil is working on the train, he allows Measle to watch. But despite these moments of happiness, Measle is terribly nervous about something that lurks overhead and seems to be watching his every move.

Measle's real adventure begins when he dares to play with Basil's train and is caught. The mad wizard, or "Wrathmonk," quickly shrinks Measle to the size of one of the little village people. It doesn't take long for the clever Measle to figure out that Basil has been doing some really evil spells and that many of the "villagers" are real people turned into plastic. He accidentally discovers that, by feeding them carrot bits, they can become real again. Becoming real helps them all realize that perhaps together they can escape from Basil's horrible spell. However, in order to do this, they must come up with intelligent plans and face some formidable adventures. By far the most fun comes when they reverse one of Wrathmonk's spells and turn him into a giant cockroach!

This is a fun little book with just the right amount of scary. Like Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, it will be an especially popular selection for grades 4 through 6. There is a sequel on the way, so the adventures of Measle and his friends are just beginning.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts