Charles Gilman (1)Critiques

I do not know where Charles Gilman got the idea for this series but I praise him. Substitute Creature is as good as, if not better than the previous books in the series. My daughters have both loved reading the series. Robert is the hero and this time he is saving his mother and class mates from being eaten by the Old Ones.

This didn’t let us down at all. The main characters are growing up in front of our very eyes, having read all of the series you will notice this.

The book cover is fantastic and certainly a selling point directed at children. It’s creepy but not enough to cause bad nightmares and full of adventure.

It was well written and the illustration is brilliant. I have a 7 and 16 year old and they have both read it cover to cover and asked if there will be another book.

After book #3, I was wondering how long the stories would continue before readers are provided with answers/solutions. I'm glad to see that Gilman is continuing to move the story line along, providing more information and resolving various plot points, without yet ending the series. Each book reveals enough new information about the overarching plot that readers don't get frustrated, while leaving enough unanswered for future books to come.

Note: I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

Robert's school district was restructured, which means all his friends attend his old school and he has to go to the new Lovecraft Middle School, where the only kid he knows is his bully, Glenn. Robert soon meets Karina, a girl who seems annoyingly concerned with getting Robert to stand up to Glenn. She also knows more about hidden rooms of the school than the staff. When two of his classmates disappear, tentacles try to pull Glenn into a school locker, and Robert sees the science teacher eat a hamster, he starts to think something strange is going on at the new school.
The cover is a very cool hologram that shows a normal, grim man, and then a grinning demon.½

This book is a great start to a fun series. I love the little drawings throughout the books. The story has engaging characters.

Decent mystery and likeable characters. This is light, but I think it's a good read for reluctant or low level readers with fun content.

I admit, it was the series that caught my eye: Tales from Lovecraft Middle School. I'm a sucker for Lovecraftian horror. This book had lots of promise; it was fulfilled on a middle school reader's level.

Yes, there was gentle horror for those of us used to Lovecraft -- I would certainly think it appropriate for the target audience. There was also a not-subtle message about bullying.

I've read too much in this genre to be surprised by this predictable book. However, for the young reader, I think it would be a page-turner. I certainly read it quickly.

Recommended for Lovecraftian completists and for middle-grade readers who like spooky stories.

This is the second book in the "Tales from Lovecraft Middle School" series. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the first book Professor Gargoyle ...so, when I got to this one, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about The Slither Sisters because when I am surprised by the first, I usually dislike the second book and don't go on in the series. But, with The Slither Sisters, I went into it with that mentality and didn't expect much, and I am glad I did. I didn't get my hopes up which made me enjoy The Slither Sisters.

It's some what predictable, but not exactly so much in some parts that you can tell exactly what was going to happen...Well, for me anyway. But I guess for a woman my age reading a middle grade book, I guess not too much should surprise me! lol....That's not a bad thing of course. Maybe someone my 11 year old's age, it may not be quite so "predictable"...But I may not let him get a hold of these books until at least next school year (his 6th grade year). It's not that the books are overly scary but at his age, it might give just enough spook factor. He's not really into scary stuff and for me, that's kind of good because at his age, it was Freddy Krueger!! and I loved it! So, I'm hoping he doesn't really get into anything beyond stuff like this series... Because I was always a little nervous after watch horror movies, especially Amity-ville & Exorcist type of movies...and I still don't like woods (Jason/Friday the 13th) lol

But, I digress....

So far, I am enjoying this little series, but I am not in a hurry to move on. I own the first two books, now I need to purchase the others. I normally try not to buy series until I read at least the first one (borrow it from the library)....I'm the same with stand alone books as well but I will buy those before a series.

I digress, again...

So, if you have middle graders and you don't mind them reading books like this, but don't want anything too overly creepy like R.L. Stine..Then this might be okay...But, I'd still rent it first and read through as least through the first one just to make sure its something you'd want your child to read.

This book was a lot more enjoyable than I expected. This book was another one that I could barely out down, and that's saying a lot seeing I'm not really into Middle Grade books. Well written, characters believable, and even a little creepy.

It only got a 4 because I wasn't blown away but still loved it, if goodreads allowed for me to give it a 4.5, I would have. I will going on to the second book and allowing my 10 year old to read it.

Professor Gargoyle: Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1 Robert Arthur has been plucked out of his usual school, and placed in Lovecraft Middle School on the south side of his town. Sadly none of his friends came with him. Even worse the school bully, Glenn Torkells, did. If that's not bad enough, there's definitely something wrong with Robert's new school. Rats in the lockers, strange looking teachers, and even mysterious ooze?
 
It's okay though, Robert is no wimp. While he might have a bully problem, I loved how quick he was to take on every other crazy thing that happened to him. This first book spans a mere three weeks in Robert's new school, and what a three weeks it is! When students start disappearing, it is Robert who takes up the role of leader and sets off to make things right. He's a hero in the making, and it's so hard not to fall in love with him.
 
What really struck me though is how unapologetically Gilman mixes humor, grossness, and even a bit of horror into this book. I remember being a young reader, giggling while I read books from authors like Roald Dahl and Louis Sachar. Books that were a bit creepy, a bit crazy, and a whole lot of fun! That's what I was reliving as I powered through this book. I feel like the balance here is very well done. Best of all the ending sets things up perfectly for another book but, and here's the kicker, it actually wraps everything up too! Who knew you could have both? Thanks for that Mr. Gilman!
 
As you can see from the copious use of exclamation marks, this is a book I found utterly enjoyable. I know without a doubt that this is going to be a series that flies off the shelves. If you have a reluctant reader, put this book in their hands! The story is great, it's a quick read, and it even has a "lenticular" cover that shifts from human to monster. If that alone isn't a good enough reason to purchase, I don't know what is. Buy a copy and get ready to enter Lovecraft Middle School.

These still aren't that bad, but Karina really needs to be exploited more for what she is.

Those mean twins are actually ZOMG EVIL SNAKE PEOPELZ! Life lesson, friends.

You seemed to enjoy it, and I didn't think it was all that bad. Longer-form, slower Goosebumps.

The second installment of the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series. Robert and Glenn are still trying to figure out what to do about the beasts inhabiting their school. The Price twins are back from their mysterious disappearance with no memory of where they've been but no concern about it either. They're focusing their efforts on winning the student council presidential election. Robert and Glenn, however, can see that there is something decidedly wrong about the Price sisters, and must figure out how to keep them from taking over the school. As with the first one, I really enjoyed the story and characters - it was fun and kept the action going strong the whole time. The ending made me laugh and swear at the same time. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I had not read the first book when I read this second book of the series. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the book and wanted to read the next as soon as I finished it.

The Lovecraftian elements woven into the story were the icing the the cake for this fun and intriguing world constructed by this author.

Lovecraft Middle School is brand new and high-tech, but it hides a terrible secret. Robert starts the year by meeting a strange girl and adopting a two-headed rat. His science teacher is eccentric to the point of frightening, and the lockers are more than they seem. This was fun. I feel like I should read some actual Lovecraft before picking up the next installment in this series. I didn't feel like I was missing anything major but it'd be nice to get all the references.

Professor Gargoyle (Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1) by Charles Gilman is a very odd and wonderful tale for middle grade kids. This school is not like any other and a science teacher like the kids have never known. Strange things are happening and kids are missing. There is a girl Robert meets and takes him to the attic, but come to find out there is no attic and the the girl doesn't exist! It is a fun and fantastic read with lots of mystery, fantasy, and excitement. Oh, and a 2 headed rat that is Robert's friend.

Robert's school has been redistricted and he will now be attending Lovecraft Middle School. Although Lovecraft is brand new there are rats in the building, an old attic, tentacles rising from lockers and disappearing students. Robert ends up making several unlikely new friends and starts investigating.

So far this has potential to be interesting but feels unfinished. This book is definitely all about the plot as relationships develop much too easily. Unfortunately so much of the plot has been left out or left for future books that this book feels a little unfinished.

Robert's school has been redistricted and he will now be attending Lovecraft Middle School. Although Lovecraft is brand new there are rats in the building, an old attic, tentacles rising from lockers and disappearing students. Robert ends up making several unlikely new friends and starts investigating.

So far this has potential to be interesting but feels unfinished. This book is definitely all about the plot as relationships develop much too easily. Unfortunately so much of the plot has been left out or left for future books that this book feels a little unfinished.

Robert's school has been redistricted and he will now be attending Lovecraft Middle School. Although Lovecraft is brand new there are rats in the building, an old attic, tentacles rising from lockers and disappearing students. Robert ends up making several unlikely new friends and starts investigating.

So far this has potential to be interesting but feels unfinished. This book is definitely all about the plot as relationships develop much too easily. Unfortunately so much of the plot has been left out or left for future books that this book feels a little unfinished.

Robert's school has been redistricted and he will now be attending Lovecraft Middle School. Although Lovecraft is brand new there are rats in the building, an old attic, tentacles rising from lockers and disappearing students. Robert ends up making several unlikely new friends and starts investigating.

So far this has potential to be interesting but feels unfinished. This book is definitely all about the plot as relationships develop much too easily. Unfortunately so much of the plot has been left out or left for future books that this book feels a little unfinished.

My Thoughts:
This is book ONE in the LOVECRAFT MIDDLESCHOOL series.

In this book we are introduced to the series, which revolves around the newly built “Lovecraft Middle School”. We also meet our main character Robert Arthur. The story follows Robert on his journey as he goes to a new school. Along the way, he makes some very unlikely friends and they all work together to solve the mystery of the scary things going on in the school.

I enjoyed getting to know Robert and his new friends. As a child, I changed schools several times so I could totally relate to him and his anxiety of entering a new school. Throw in all the scary things that start happening and this book is a great little page turner.

In Conclusion:
This book is aimed at middle grade readers and I think that age range will love it. There is just enough scary to keep the story creepy and enough mystery and adventure to keep them turning the pages. Even I, a grown up, couldn’t put the book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next!

I say pick this one up if you are a fan of younger horror like Goosebumps and Deadtime Stories!

Mom Notes:
Might be a little scary to younger readers, however I think this one be fine for ages 8 .

These books are awesome - The whole family enjoys them... Recommended as a great fantasy series for anyone's bookshelf.

Fast, fun read that will hook reluctant readers with its characters, funny touch of evil and plot elements. A good addition for both school and public libraries.

Hands down to this amazing author! Not having read the previous books myself, I found this one really easy to get into and the storyline was so rich and wonderful, I actually felt like I had read them. Definitely recommend this book to anyone, child or adult, who is looking for a fun, quick, paranormal-ish read. It was amazing.

I'd like to thank Library Thing's Early Reviewer Program for giving me this book. I delayed a while with the review, but I finally posted it.

AHH! I thought I wrote a review for this already! Ooops!

Hands down this is one of the best children's series ever. Yup. I said it. And the best part is, you can pick up any book and start from there. You don't need to have read the previous books to enjoy it.

I did email the author recently, asking where the 5th one was because this one ended on such a cliffhanger. He said hopefully later this year. I am so waiting for it.

When I eventually have children, I can't wait to read this to them.