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zapkode's review against another edition
5.0
{My thoughts} – Alexander is the new kid in school. His first day of school is anything but normal. He and his dad stop at a diner to get some breakfast and when they come out their car has flat tires. Then his dad sends him to walk to school, but he ends up at the wrong building. It would appear that the school is actually in the middle of being torn down. While he is at the wrong building he finds a notebook with many different monsters listed in it. Then the principal of his school shows up and sends him to the right building the hospital.
This is where things get kind of funky. Alexander gets to school and learns that his class is held in the morgue. He also learns that another boy named Rip is nothing short of a bully. Rip tends to make things a little rough for Alexander at school. Next thing everyone knows is school is canceled for the rest of the day and they are all sent home.
The next morning is Alexanders birthday party. He’d not given out any party invitations, but still Rip shows up. The reason is because he stole one out of Alexander’s school bag when he was picking on him. Alexander soon learns that he can find friends in the most unlikely places and that the notebook he found appears to be true to what it claims.
If I were those two boys, I’d be apt to keep my distance from balloons for a very long time. This book was a fun read. It was funny and kinda scary at a small child’s level. I am sure that this series has the potential to be a big hit with many children. I look forward to reading the next book in the series soon.
This is where things get kind of funky. Alexander gets to school and learns that his class is held in the morgue. He also learns that another boy named Rip is nothing short of a bully. Rip tends to make things a little rough for Alexander at school. Next thing everyone knows is school is canceled for the rest of the day and they are all sent home.
The next morning is Alexanders birthday party. He’d not given out any party invitations, but still Rip shows up. The reason is because he stole one out of Alexander’s school bag when he was picking on him. Alexander soon learns that he can find friends in the most unlikely places and that the notebook he found appears to be true to what it claims.
If I were those two boys, I’d be apt to keep my distance from balloons for a very long time. This book was a fun read. It was funny and kinda scary at a small child’s level. I am sure that this series has the potential to be a big hit with many children. I look forward to reading the next book in the series soon.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Marketed as a "Branches" book in order to help kids learn to read and learn to love to read, Rise of the Balloon Goons features a fast-paced plot about a new kid in school alongside illustrations and a few peeks into The Notebook of Doom itself. Introverted Alexander is new in town, and while he does have some expectations for how towns are supposed to operate, this town certainly does not abide by those rules. With strange teachers, weird school mates, and an abundance of missing air in tires and balloons, there's a lot of strangeness going on, and Alexander gets wrapped up in trying to figure it all out! It's fun, quirky, and a little zany at times--great for the kid who likes easy laughs and one-liners, or for those who like to write in their own journal from time to time.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
advocatebreathecollaborate's review against another edition
4.0
The format, with text and illustrations, is appealing to young readers while not being as complex as a graphic novel. the story was funny, I think it would hold readers attention. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
hyggedreamer's review against another edition
4.0
Rise of the Balloon Goons (The Notebook of Doom #1) by Troy Cummings was a book I had bought for my oldest child to read. He’s an avid reader, and so when I went to pick up some books for him from the bookstore that were parts of series he already loves, I thought I’d pick up a couple that were beginnings of series.
Unfortunately, my son was not impressed by this book when he read the title, not being a lover of scary books in any way, shape, or form, and he ended up HIDING the book in his room so we couldn't read it. I found it and read it with my daughter, who loves books like this and I’m happy we did!
It’s a fun read about Alexander, who moves to a new town with his dad. He keeps finding these balloon “monsters” around town, but no one believes him when he tries to get help. Eventually, he finds a notebook with the word “DOOM” on it, which contains information about other monsters. Alexander is still navigating his way through being the new kid, but now he has to find a way to fight these monsters. It was a fun read, though I could see why my oldest didn’t want to read it as there is some scary stuff happening, but it is all offset by so much humour (especially with Alexander’s dad) that it ended up being a favourite.
I would definitely check out more books in this series to see what other monsters occur in this small town!
Unfortunately, my son was not impressed by this book when he read the title, not being a lover of scary books in any way, shape, or form, and he ended up HIDING the book in his room so we couldn't read it. I found it and read it with my daughter, who loves books like this and I’m happy we did!
It’s a fun read about Alexander, who moves to a new town with his dad. He keeps finding these balloon “monsters” around town, but no one believes him when he tries to get help. Eventually, he finds a notebook with the word “DOOM” on it, which contains information about other monsters. Alexander is still navigating his way through being the new kid, but now he has to find a way to fight these monsters. It was a fun read, though I could see why my oldest didn’t want to read it as there is some scary stuff happening, but it is all offset by so much humour (especially with Alexander’s dad) that it ended up being a favourite.
I would definitely check out more books in this series to see what other monsters occur in this small town!
allmadhere106's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really cute start to the series. We see the beginning of a greater mystery form here and create the characters and the setting. The mystery was entertaining and I can see that the series has several directions that it can go.
For: fans of lengthy series; fans of horror/fantasy for juvenile readers.
Possible red flags: mild horror and peril.
For: fans of lengthy series; fans of horror/fantasy for juvenile readers.
Possible red flags: mild horror and peril.
jesscinco's review against another edition
4.0
Alexander Bopp moves to a new town but something isn't quite right. It's full of monsters, and the adults are totally useless. It's up to the kids to save the day. A fun early chapter book full of wacky humor. Reluctant readers will enjoy Alexander's adventure.
hiimkayte's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read almost all of this series with my 5 year old and they are great. First, the characters aren’t jerks, which you see in a lot of kids books. They are actually nice kids, caring and kind, but also interesting because they kick monster butt. I love watching the wheels in my son’s head turn as he picks up on the same clues as the characters and solves the mystery with them. I think it’s great for his critical thinking, and he loves them. I mean, it’s fighting monsters! What could be better?
23missb's review against another edition
3.0
This is a cute early chapter book for those wanting to make the leap to something longer but not too challenging. I read this to preview it for some of the grade 1s and 2s coming into the school library. There are quite a few kids in this age range who look longingly at the Goosebumps books, but they are either just too scary or too high of a reading level for them right now to try to tackle. This book and the others in the series have large text, lots of pictures, and just a hint of creepy (but they really are not scary).
alyshalea's review against another edition
4.0
My 7 year old wanted a series he could read. His older brother recommended this book so we gave it a go together. He loved it and can’t wait to start the next one.