FANTASTIC FRIDAY: Curse of the Broomstaff by Tyler Whitesides

CURSE OF THE BROOMSTAFF

Janitors #3

by Tyler Whitesides

Shadow Mountain, 2013

ISBN13: 9781609076054

Middle Grade Fantasy

Grades 3-6 ARC provided by publisher in return for honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A secret society of Janitors with wizard-like powers continue their battle, and now, the stakes are even higher.

The Bureau of Educational Maintenance is after Alan Zumbro and this time they mean business—deadly business. Spencer, Daisy, and their little team of rebels must find the source of all magical Glop and destroy it before it can destroy the world as we know it. No small task with the BEM and their monster toxites at their heels. It’s a wild and dangerous ride as they follow the trail of clues all the way to the hiding place of the mysterious aurans: guardians of a secret landfill. What they discover there will change the way Spencer sees himself, not to mention the fate of the rebels.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tyler Whitesides worked as a janitor at an elementary school to put himself through college. He graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. In addition to writing novels, Tyler is an avid composer and arranger of instrumental music. He and his wife, Connie, who teaches third grade, live in northern Utah.

REVIEW

Whitesides has done it again. Curse of the Broomstaff is another creative, delightful read with plenty of excitement and new characters.  The way the author takes janitorial supplies and turns them into different types of tools makes for fun reading.  Windex turns things into glass, orange cleaning spray heals, and the razorblade that turns into a sword are just a few of the new items seen in book 3.  Bernard Weizmann makes an appearance as a garbologist, someone who reads trash the way a dog reads scents with his nose. And who would have expected a garbage truck as a getaway vehicle. With enough fight scenes to satisfy even the most demanding reader, the book moves at a brisk pace as Spencer and his father, Walter, Daisy, Penny, and Bernard set off to locate the other Aurans and hopefully discover the source of all Glop.  It turns out that Toxites (which suck up children's brainwaves) come directly from Glop and if the source can be destroyed maybe Toxites can be too.  But what will happen if the Aurans don't want the Glop destroyed? And can Spencer and the others take on the new extension toxites and their riders, called Pluggers? A wonderful addition to the series, sure to be popular where middle grade fantasy is enjoyed.

OTHER BOOKS in the series

Janitors, Book 1

No one takes Spencer Zumbro seriously when he tried to warn his classmates about the mysterious things prowling the halls and classrooms of Welcher Elementary School. But when he sees Marv, the janitor, going after one of the creatures with a vacuum, he knows he's not the only one who can see them.

With the help of his new friends, Daisy, Spencer has to find out what the janitors know. The children's search uncovers the magic taking place behind the scenes of their seemingly ordinary school, where a battle is being waged for the minds of the students. Who can be trusted – and can Spencer and Daisy protect their school and possibly the world?


Janitors, Book 2: Secrets of New Forest Academy

No one takes Spencer Zumbro seriously when he tries to warn his classmates about the mysterious things prowling the halls and classrooms of Welcher Elementary School. But when he sees Marv, the janitor, going after one of the creatures with a vacuum, he knows he's not the only one who can see them. With the help of his new friend, Daisy, Spencer has to find out what the janitors know. The children's search uncovers the magic taking place behind the scenes of their seemingly ordinary school, where a battle is being waged for the minds of the students. Who can be trusted – and can Spencer and Daisy protect their school and possibly the world?

E-BOOK SALE FOR SEPTEMBER

Book 1:  $0.99
Book 2:  $1.99
Book 3:  $7.99