{my thoughts} – Sam Graves attending his first day of school like any normal third grader would. He is called to the principals office where he is told he is to be the new Hall Monitor of the school. He doesn’t like this one bit and is not fond that he has to wear a not so nice looking orange sash. One his first morning as hall monitor he is almost eaten alive by quicksand out on the playground. He is saved at the last possible moment by Mr. Nekobi the school grounds keeper.

It takes awhile but soon Sam learns why he is hall monitor. He learns that it is his job since Mr. Nekobi can no longer protect the students of the school anymore to do just that. He tells his friends Antonio and Lucy what is going on, but they both laugh and don’t believe him. One day Antonio follows him and sees that he is training upon Mr. Nekobi’s instruction. He decides he will help Sam but he still doesn’t believe Sam that the school is alive. Lucy believes that both Antonio and Sam are losing their minds. Mr. Nekobi tells Sam to be ready because the school is planning something big, really big and hasn’t ate in quite some time.

Sam, Antonio and Lucy are practicing to be in the third grade Peter Pan play. Sam thinks that the school is going to strike the day of the play. Is Sam right? Can he save the children of the school? What happens the day of the play? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

I think this book is nicely written. The wording is simple and easy to understand and follow along with. I think that any child could enjoy this series. It kind of made me think of Goosebumps when I was reading it, a series I read when I was growing up. It has beautiful illustrations that go along nicely with the story within the pages of the book. It was truly a wonderful read. ( )

Children, fiction

When Sam is made hall monitor, strange things begin to happen, and school caretaker Mr. Nekobi reveals the secret: the school is alive, and it wants to eat kids! Sam's friends Antonio and Lucy don't believe him at first, but when Antonio sees evidence, he advises Sam to use what he has, and Sam is able to save all the kids in the school play of Peter Pan.

A cute, quick read with creepy illustrations (less scary than Goosebumps). See also: Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol

Jack Chabert is also Max Brallier (also a pen name), author of Last Kids on Earth ( )

The School Is Alive! is the first book in a new horror series for young readers. It's a fast-paced story with large illustrations throughout. The "horror" element is spooky enough to get kids interested and keep them engaged, but not terrifying enough to give most kids nightmares.

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley. ( )

It wasn't "bad", but it also wasn't really remarkable. Still, kid horror == yay. Every-page art was nice. ( )