Jinks, Catherine. A Plague of Bogles.

Jinks, Catherine.  A Plague of Bogles.  Houghton Mifflin  2015  330p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-544-08747-7  ms  Historical  VG-BN     

Deep underground in Victorian London’s sewers and depths lie the monsters, the evil child-eating bogles of your worst imaginings.  It will be up to some unsung heroes to protect the innocent.   A Plague of Bogles resumes the tale of Jem Barbary, a former pickpocket who has rejoined forces with Alfred Bunce, newly retired bogle killer, and Birdie McAdam, his former apprentice.  When the area around Newgate Prison is suddenly beset with a plague of missing children, Bunce reluctantly returns to action and Jem is recruited to be his newest apprentice.  He will be replacing Birdie, now an aspiring singer living with wealthy Miss Eames.  When the first bogle is dispatched, word goes out across the area, and Bunce receives many calls for his skills.  Upset by the fact that there is such a high concentration of monsters in a small area, the group must work together to solve the mysterious disappearances of the children. 

Second in a trilogy, this lively and exciting novel will be a hit.  It is engaging and suspenseful, with excellent characterizations and a well-paced plot.  Jem’s first-person narrative is well blended with historical descriptions.  The grand adventure moves along quickly, with just enough blood and gore, and it will hold the reader’s attention from beginning to end, leaving them waiting impatiently for the last book in the series.  The book also includes a glossary of English slang at the end.

Summary: A Plague of Bogles resumes the tale of Jem Barbary, a former pickpocket who has rejoined forces with Alfred Bunce, newly retired bogle killer, and Birdie McAdam, his former apprentice.  When the area around Newgate Prison is suddenly beset with a plague of missing children, Bunce reluctantly returns to action and Jem is recruited to be his newest apprentice to help with the elimination of the bogles.       

Monsters-Fiction                                            --Susan Ogintz

Jinks, Catherine. How To Catch A Bogle.

Jinks, Catherine.  How To Catch A Bogle.  Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace     2013  312p $16.99  ISBN 978-0-544-08708-8      ms/hs   Fantasy  E-BN  

Birdie is Alfred Bunce’s apprentice.  Alfred is a Go-Devil or bogler, which means he saves London from bogles, which are child-eating monsters.  Birdie assists Alfred using her lovely singing voice as she lures each bogle out of hiding and inside the circle of salt.  Once the bogle is inside the circle, Birdie escapes it, and Alfred closes it and then kills the creature, using his special spear.

Miss Eames, a London well-to-do, witnesses the work of the duo when they are called to catch a bogle in her residence.  She becomes very concerned for Birdie’s welfare.  As she has studied bogles, she accompanies the pair on several bogling summonses and tries to convince Alfred that there must be a better, safer way to protect young London orphans by catching bogles.

The action never stops in this exciting, spooky novel.  Details and descriptions enhance the reader’s imagination and create a clear picture in the reader’s mind.  Fabulous details and an ever-suspenseful plot make this novel difficult to put down.  Additionally, the reader is able to connect with each of the characters on different levels.  Catherine Jinks has written a fantastic novel that young readers will love!  And the best news … this is the first book in a planned trilogy.  How to Catch a Bogle leaves the reader satisfied at the end but anticipating the next adventure.  I cannot wait to read books two and three.
     

Summary: In 1870s London, Alfred Bunce, a Go-Devil man or bogler, and orphan Birdie, his apprentice, trap and kill bogles, which are monsters that eat children, while Miss Eames, a Toff or well-to-do, studies bogling and tries to convince Alfred that he should not use Birdie as bait.        

Monsters-Fiction                                            --Virginia McGarvey

Bass, Guy. Stitch Head.

Bass, Guy.  Stitch Head.  Capstone Young Readers      2013  190p  ISBN 978-1-62370-007-2  elm/ms  VG  Fantasy          

All Stitch would like is to be remembered. He was the first monster his master created when he was very young. Now after many years his job is to control the monsters his master creates and to keep out of the way. Every monster is worse than the last, and the master uses dangerous chemicals for which Stitch has to find the antidote to counteract the effects of the monsters. Stitch himself is made up of different parts but he is very tiny and skinny and a half live monster.  Then, just when Stitch has everything under control, the circus master comes to the door and wants to take the castle’s monsters for his show. But he wants much more than that -- he wants the master to create monsters for him. How can Stitch alone save his master and his monsters from the town’s people? Surprisingly enough, help comes from the strangest group of friends.

This is a cute story, including a few illustrations.  It is not scary at all, but a lot of fun, with very funny comical monsters. Kids will like this.

Summary: Stitch was the first one. Now he is just a forgotten monster who takes care of all the other monsters created by his master.                  

Monsters-Fiction, Humor                               --Magna Diaz