Nightmare at the Book Fair

My seven-year-old would give this book ten stars if he could. (He was actually VERY upset this wasn't a series as he wanted to read more!) My son is a very advanced reader (they have tested him at the junior high level) but he still is very much a fun loving kid with a wicked sense of humor. I often have trouble finding books that are socially/developmentally appropriate in content and that are challenging enough to keep his interest. We are both a big fan of Dan Gutman's humor and love his "My Weird School" series of books and appreciate the silly laughs (although sometimes a bit inappropriate) and so I let my son read this book without reading it first. He finished the book in a night and begged for more. I was intrigued so when I sat down to read it I was surprised by some of the adult content. Obviously this was my mistake for giving it to him without checking it first. I would definitely recommended this book for children 11+ but of course each parent knows their child best and can determine what is appropriate for themselves and their families. It is a quick read, very fast paced, and holds the reader's attention because of the fact that it is like a collection of short stories all in one book. However, because it is a series of intertwined short stories there is not deep character development or a rich story line. I view this book as a "fun" book that is meant to be read for enjoyment, like a comic strip, and is a good way to get reluctant readers to start reading or balance out the denser/thicker/heavier books for avid readers. My son calls books like these "dessert books," he doesn't read them all the time but enjoys them immensely when he does. Our family enjoys the brand of humor employed in Mr. Gutman's books but I would caution parents to pre-read this book before giving it to a child to make sure that you are okay with the content.

"Nightmare at the Book Fair" tells the fantastical tale of middle schooler Trip Dinkleman, who tries desperately to get to Lacrosse tryouts, but ends up taking a side trip through some of the books at the school book fair. Asked to help set up the school book fair, Trip, who hates to read, grudgingly agrees when assured it will be quick. While trying to move a crate of book across the room, it tips over and books come tumbling down, hitting Trip in the head. He awakes, not in the library, but standing on a boardwalk, "one of those honky-tonk strips down the shore crammed with T-shirt shops, saltwater taffy vendors, and cheesy carnival rides." Trip is given a ticket to the haunted house and this is where his adventures begin. While in the haunted house, Trip runs into Professor Psycho, who wants to eat his brain. So begins Trip's adventures through several books. Trip, of course, doesn't realize this, but the reader is given clues as to what the next genre of book will be by the title of the chapter. While Trip makes his way through the books, he always knows that he is Trip, that is not so in all the chapters. While he is a middle school boy in some, he is an animal in another (Chapter 9: Animal Fiction) and, worst for Trip, a girl in another (Chapter 11: Fiction for Girls). "Nightmare..." is a light-hearted read, filled with humor that both children and adults can understand and appreciate. Beware there are a few less than appropriate words in various places and one chapter, Chapter 10: Fantasy, there is a transgender character. Aside from those concerns, the book was very good read. Some of these "adult" words went over the head of the 9-year-old. The trip through the book fair leads the reader into a new story in every chapter. The 9-year-old enjoyed it that he wanted to read more books by the same author. This kid also hated reading, but not as much anymore.

Good book Easy read for 4th grade level my daughter had a easy time reading this book

Good for younger readers as a first exposure to genre. Too many pop references that today's readers won't follow.