Book Review: Professor Gargoyle - Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

Media Type: Print Book
Title: Professor Gargoyle
*Series: Tales From Lovecraft Middle School #1
Author: Charles Gilman
Publisher: Quirk Books
Pages: Hardcover; 168
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Source: Publisher
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Content Screening: Mild Cartoonish Violence

HDB Rating: Keys to My Heart

Recommended to: Readers who love a good giggle! I think this is the Wayside School of the new generation.

Add it on: Goodreads / Shelfari / Amazon / B&N

Strange things are happening at Lovecraft Middle School. Rats are leaping from lockers. Students are disappearing. The school library is a labyrinth of secret corridors. And the science teacher is acting very, very peculiar. Robert Arthur knew that seventh grade was going to be weird, but this is ridiculous!

With the help of some unlikely new friends, Robert discovers there’s more to Lovecraft Middle School than meets the eye. Can he uncover the secrets of the school before it’s too late?

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.

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