Monster on the Hill
Stoker-on-Avon’s town monster, Rayburn, is down in the dumps. Rayburn hasn’t given a good scare in years, instead spending his days moping and sighing in his cave on the hill. It’s an embarrassment to the people of Stoker-on-Avon, and they send Dr. Wilkie, a disgraced, slightly mad scientist, to shape Rayburn up. Timmy, the precocious town crier, tags along and together they help Rayburn try to overcome his gloomies so he can start monstering again. First, they take Rayburn to visit his old friend Noodles, who is now the revered and terrifying Tentaculor (and who turns out to be a bit of a group-hugging softy), for some lessons in basic monster behavior. But while they’re gone, the Murk, a lurking creature who feeds on fear, stalks toward Stoker-on-Avon and wreaks havoc in Rayburn’s absence. Rayburn, Noodles, Wilkie, and Timmy have to band together to save the town, and, in the process, they restore Rayburn’s confidence and help him understand the importance of friendship. Younger readers will be delighted by Harrell’s silly story and cartoony characters. --Sarah Hunter