The Case of the Toxic Mutants [chapter book love]

Dragonbreath: The Case of the Toxic Mutants
by Ursula Vernon
Penguin, 2013

5 things I love about this early chapter book:

1. The humor is so weird and bizarre–perfect for 2nd and 3rd graders.
2. It’s a bit longer and more complex than many early chapter books, so it’s great for those kids who aren’t quite ready for middle-grade novels but who are complaining that the standard chapter books are too easy.
3. Danny and his friends are all well-rounded characters.
4. There’s plenty of real life mixed in with the outrageousness.?Who doesn’t know a kid worried that his mom’s going to kill him because he lost his new retainer? What kid doesn’t dread being sent to entertain a grouchy granddad?
5. Worshipping a stone lawn goose–that’s what I’m going to leave you with.

Summary from Goodreads: Danny Dragonbreath may not be as book smart as his nerdy best friend, Wendell. He prefers napping to school work. But if you need someone to investigate a really weird mystery involving mutants, toxic sludge, and giant missing dentures? Detective Dragonbreath will boldly go where no detective has gone before!

(Review copy provided by my amazing Maple Grove Public Library.)

I’m having so much fun reading lots of fabulous easy readers as part of the Cybils panel, and I’m trying to share one or two per week.?If you find these posts useful, please share them with other educators and book people using the social share buttons below. Part of the fun of being nominated for a Cybil is that more people get to hear about your book. Thanks!

Disclaimer: This is MY opinion only! This does not reflect any Cybils discussion nor the opinions of the other Cybils panelists or judges. Perhaps I’ll share some titles everyone else on the panel hates! Perhaps I’ll share ones everyone has fallen in love with. I’ll never tell, and you’ll never know:>)